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Looking For Fibromyalgia Medications?
There are few [ if any ] successful fibromyalgia medications made with fibromyalgia as the primary target. But....... There are medicines made primarily for treating other disorders that are also used successfully, to treat the assorted symptoms common to fibromyalgia.
Commonly Used Fibromyalgia Medications For Treating Fibromyalgia SymptomsPlease note that this is just a list of known commonly used medications that have been used to treat fibromyalgia's various symptoms. It is not to be considered as complete or a recommendation by the Managing My Fibromyalgia Website. It also does not replace the advice and treatment from your doctor or medical professional which we strongly urge the fibromyalgia sufferer to obtain. This list is broken down by medication category and the names of the most written prescriptions given to fibromyalgia sufferers. Below you will find a search box that you may use to obtain information about any prescribed medications. Commonly Used Medications Designed to Relieve PainAnalgesics* Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs [ NSAIDs]: To date, fibromyalgia has not been found to be an inflammatory disorder. It is the pain relieving property that is considered useful commonly used medications to treat fibromyalgia sufferers. This class of drugs includes: Voltaren [ dicofenac] *Note: It is not uncommon for this class of drugs to cause stomach irritation which can increase in severity the longer you take the medication. Pain PatchesDuragesic Patches [ transdermal fentanyl ] releases the narcotic medicine through the skin which regulates helps act as a time release mechanism. Duragesic patches are used to treat severe and chronic pain. Caution is urged, as this medication can cause nausea or vomiting. Lidoderm Patches contain 5% lidocaine, a local anesthetic. This type of patch can cause skin irritation. Opioids*Opioids [ narcotic medication ] drugs are used to treat acute, flare-up and break-through pain. Vicodin [ hydrocodone + acetaminophen ] *Note: This type of drug requires careful management by a physician due to its possibility to cause addiction. Centrally Mediated Pain Treatment*Tricylcic Antidepressants increase the levels of the brain's nuero-chemical serotonin, help to control pain,and promote sleep. Desyrel [ trazadone ] *Side effects include dry mouth, drowsiness, morning hangover, constipation, weight gain and occasionally anxiety. Tricylcicsare usually taken at bedtime because of their sedating qualities. *Selective Seratonin Reuptake Inhibitors [ SSRIs] boost serotonin levels but also help to keep serotonin available longer in the system after it has been secreted by the brain. These medications can help manage fatigue, cognitive impairment, and depression and are often taken in the morning. They include: Zoloft [sertaline] *Side effects include nervousness, insomnia, dry mouth, headache, diarrhea, nausea and with Paxil and Zoloft, sexual dysfunction. Serotonin and Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors [SNRIs]*Cymbalta [duloxetine] *Effexor XR [venlafaxine hydro chloride] Muscle Relaxants* minimize muscle spasms and muscle pain. Due to their sedating qualities, they also aid the helping to increase sleep and are usually taken at bedtime. Robaxin [methocarbamol] *Side effects include drowsiness, constipation, headache, dry mouth, and heart palpitations. **Soma has an additional risk of becoming habit forming. Trigger Point Injections: Used in conjunction with myofascial release or other forms of physical therapy to treat severe myofascial trigger points with which often occur in fibromyalgia patients. What is injected is medications usually including 1% procaine or lidocaine. *Anti-Spastic Medications were developed to treat certain injuries to the spine and to treat multiple sclerosis. Included in this category are: *Zanaflex [tizanidine] an inhibitor of Substance P which relaxes muscles and decreases muscle spasms and cramping by acting on the central nervous system. Possible side effects are dry mouth, diarrhea or constipation, drowsiness and nightmares. During continuos therapy transaminase levels may have to be monitored. *Lioresal [baclofen] May include side effects of confusion, dizziness or light-headedness, nausea, drowsiness and occasional muscle weakness. Bezodiazepines: also very sedating, they are used sometimes to help patients feel calmer and cope with pain. *Klonopin [clonazepam] *Note: Klonopin and Valium also have muscle relaxant properties that are useful in fibromyalgia treatment. Sleep Medicines: Popular sleep medications that are currently being prescribed for fibromyalgia patients include Lunesta [eszopicione], Sonata [zaleplon], and Ambien [zolpidemtartrate]. These drugs are normally prescribed for short periods of time because they can become habit forming. Anti-Convulsant Medications originally developed for the treatment of epilepsy and are sometimes prescribed for the relief of neuropathic pain in fibromyalgia. Tegretol [carbamazepine] Note: Side effects may include sedation, dizziness or dry mouth. It is important that blood counts and liver function be monitored. *Lyrica [pregabalin] *Note: this is a new product used for fibromyalgia which has been shown to improve pain, fatigue and disturbed sleep in a recent study [Arthritis & Rheumatism, April 2005]. Reminder: Please note that this is just a list of known commonly used medications that have been used to treat fibromyalgia's various symptoms. It is not to be considered as complete or a recommendation by the Managing My Fibromyalgia Web site. It also does not replace the advice and treatment from your doctor or medical professional which we strongly urge the fibromyalgia sufferer to obtain. This list is broken down by medication category with the names of the most written prescriptions given to fibromyalgia sufferers. Use This Handy Search Tool To Obtain Information On Any Prescribed Medications!
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