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.

I would say there are currently three [3] Holy Grails in medicine today as it pertains to Fibromyalgia.... They are: finding of the cause of fibromyalgia, finding effective fibromyalgia medications to treat fibromyalgia symptoms and to ultimately find a cure for fibromyalgia itself. Fibromyalgia medications are only one part of the puzzle we seek a solution to!

Commonly Used Fibromyalgia Medications For Treating Fibromyalgia Symptoms

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 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 although most are not exclusively known as fibromyalgia medications..

Below you will find a search box that you may use to obtain information about any prescribed medications.

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]
Orudis [ keoprofen ]
Lodine [ etodolac ]
Daypro [ oxaprozin ]
Toradol [ ketorolac ]
Naprosyn [naproxen ]
Indocin [ indomethacin ]
Relafen [ nabumetone ]
Mobic [ meloxicam ]
Feldene [ piroxicam ]

*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.

Duragesic Patches [ trans-dermal 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 [ narcotic medication ] drugs are used to treat acute, flare-up and break-through pain.

Vicodin [ hydrocodone + acetaminophen ]
Oxycontin [ oxycecodone hydrochloride ]
Percocet [ oxycodone + acetaminophen ]
Darvocet [ propoxyphene ]

*Note: This type of drug requires careful management by a physician due to its possibility to cause addiction.

*Tricylcic Antidepressants increase the levels of the brain's nuero-chemical serotonin, help to control pain, and promote sleep.

Desyrel [ trazadone ]
Pamelor [ nortriptyline ]
Elavil [ amitriptyline ]
Sinequan [ doxepin ]

*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 Serotonin Re-uptake 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]
Prozac [fluoxetine]
Serzone [nefazodone]
Paxil [paroxetine]
Celexa [citalopram hydrobromide]

*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]
*One study suggested that Cymbalta may not be effective in the treatment of males with fibromyalgia since the drug did not significantly improve on any efficacy measure and another randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled trial, the effect on treatment with Cymbalta was found to be independent of mood and the presence of major depressive disorders. Cymbalta has been recently approved to be called a fibromyalgia medication, no longer just an anti-depressant.

*Effexor XR [venlafaxine hydro chloride]
*In a small study, as detailed in "Ann Pharmacol therapy 2003", showed significant improvement in pain intensity an disability caused by fibromyalgia. Important: Effexor should not be taken in combination with mono amine oxidase inhibitors [MAO].

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]
**Soma [carisoprodol]
Skelaxin [metaxalone]
Norflex [orphenadrine citrate]
Flexeril [cyclobenzaaprine hydroclhloride]

*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 continues therapy transaminase levels may have to be monitored.

*Lioresal [baclofen] May include side effects of confusion, dizziness or lightheadedness, 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]
*Valium [diazepam]
Xanax [alprazolam]
Restore [temazapam]

*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]
Neurotin [bapentin]
Dilantin [phenytoin]
Depakote [divalproex]

Note: Side effects may include sedation, dizziness or dry mouth. It is important that blood counts and liver function be monitored.

*Note: this is a new fibromyalgia medication 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.