Diabetes Pain Drug Is OKd

Pfizer Inc. said the Food and Drug Administration had approved its medication for pain caused by nerve damage from diabetes or shingles, but it is still under review for treating partial seizures in adults.

Pfizer said that Lyrica was the first FDA-approved treatment for this pain, often described as burning, tingling, sharp or stabbing or as pins and needles in the feet, legs, hands or arms.

The drug hasn’t been approved for treating partial seizures in adults; the company said that use was still under review.

Pfizer shares closed down 12 cents to $26.89 on the New York Stock Exchange.

The company estimates that about 3 million diabetes sufferers in America will develop painful nerve damage over the course of the disease while 150,000 Americans develop nerve damage from shingles each year.