Does LYRICA have a new mechanism of action?
A1: LYRICA binds to the A2D subunit of voltage-gated calcium channels. Gabapentin is the only other marketed drug known to bind to the A2D subunit. LYRICA has a different chemical structure (shown below), which may account for its pharmacological properties, which are different from those of gabapentin. The chemical structure of LYRICA differs from that of gabapentin. It is neither an isomer of gabapentin nor is it a reformulation. LYRICA is approved for both painful DPN and PHN, while gabapentin is approved for PHN only. LYRICA offers a predictable response across the therapeutic dose range, with a linear pharmacokinetic profile, high oral bioavailability (90%) independent of dose, and less interpatient variability.13 Gabapentin has a nonlinear pharmacokinetic profile and bioavailability is 60% at the 900 mg dose and decreases as the dose increases.
A1: LYRICA binds to the A2D subunit of voltage-gated calcium channels. Gabapentin is the only other marketed drug known to bind to the A2D subunit. LYRICA has a different chemical structure (shown below), which may account for its pharmacological properties, which are different from those of gabapentin. The chemical structure of LYRICA differs from that of gabapentin. It is neither an isomer of gabapentin nor is it a reformulation. LYRICA is approved for both painful DPN and PHN, while gabapentin is approved for PHN only.
