Medications for Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia is a condition that results in pain in body muscles and tendons. Signs and symptoms include fatigue, sensations of tingling or numbness, and associated pain. Symptoms typically develop in adulthood. Persons who are diagnosed with fibromyalgia are also commonly affected by anxiety, depression, or headaches. Although the exact cause of the condition is unknown, it can be triggered by an infection (such as that from a virus) or could be genetically related.  Emotional or physical stress could also trigger fibromyalgia.

Regular exercise, such as walking, can help to reduce pain over time. Antidepressant medications and antiseizure medications are sometimes prescribed to treat symptoms. These medications work to normalize the pain perception that is altered in persons with the condition. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), such as paroxetine (Paxil) are antidepressant medications that work to increase the amount of serotonin in the brain. Dual reuptake inhibitors, such as duloxetine (Cymbalta) and milnacipran (Savella), work to increase serotonin and norepinephrine in the brain. Pregabalin (Lyrica) is an anticonvulsant medication that is also prescribed. This medication inhibits the release of excitatory neurotransmitters in the brain, thereby working to decrease pain.