A study published in the journal Neurology Wednesday showed that Pfizer’s chronic pain pill Lyrica (pregabalin) was shown to be no different in controlling lower back pain than placebo. The drug is commonly prescribed as an “off-label” treatment for chronic low back pain syndromes like lumbar spinal stenosis, the University of Rochester Medical Center writes. Lyrica is approved to treat chronic pain associated with shingles, spinal cord injury, fibromyalgia and diabetic nerve pain. “Given the cost and potential side effects associated with pregabalin, it is critical that we understand the efficacy of this drug,” John Markman, M.D., lead author and director of the translational pain research program in the University of Rochester Department of Surgery stated. “This study convincingly demonstrates a lack of relief with pregabalin for the walking pain associated with lumbar spinal stenosis.”