Lyrica (pregabalin) is a medication that is used to treat nerve-related pain disorders in adults 18 years and older, as well as a certain type of epilepsy in patients one month and older. It is used to treat pain caused by nerve damage due to diabetes, shingles (herpes zoster) infection, or spinal cord injury, and is also used with other medications to treat certain types of seizures (focal seizures) . However, a study published in the journal Neurology showed that pregabalin is not effective in controlling the pain associated with lumbar spinal stenosis, which is the most common type of chronic lower back pain.

While pregabalin is not approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for chronic low back pain syndromes like lumbar spinal stenosis, it is commonly prescribed as an “off label” treatment for this condition. A non-interventional study in Japan found that pregabalin was effective for the treatment of chronic low back pain with accompanying lower limb pain (neuropathic component) . However, it is important to note that the FDA has released a safety alert that pregabalin may increase the risk for serious breathing problems if taken with a central nervous system (CNS) depressant or if the patient has respiratory problems.

In summary, Lyrica (pregabalin) is used to treat nerve-related pain disorders and certain types of seizures, but its effectiveness for chronic low back pain is still under debate. It is important to discuss the potential benefits and risks of taking Lyrica with a healthcare provider before starting treatment.