Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) Treatment: Medicine

The medicines used to treat chronic fatigue syndrome are prescribed to treat specific symptoms. For example, certain antidepressant drugs might be prescribed to treat someone with CFS who also has depression. Similarly, someone with a chronic yeast infection (noted as a possible symptom of chronic fatigue) might be prescribed a drug to treat that infection.

It is important to note that while pharmaceutical treatments might help cure some of the symptoms of CFS (like the yeast infection example listed above), for others these drugs may only mask the symptoms and not treat the cause. (As is the case with depression, where it would be useful to identify the cause of the depression to cure it instead of merely masking the symptoms through medication.)

• Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) and Tricyclics
• Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) and SSRIs
• Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) and Atypical Antidepressants
• Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) and Benzodiazepines
• Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) and Acetaminophen
• Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) and NSAIDs
• Talking to Your Doctor About Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS)

Originally created and prescribed for the treatment of Depression,
Tricyclics are a form of antidepressants that are sometimes also used to treat chronic fatigue syndrome, especially to help...

Read more about Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) and Tricyclics.

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are used to treat the depression that may accompany chronic fatigue syndrome. Some believe they may also be beneficial for CFS even if you are not...

Read more about Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) and SSRIs.

Another class of antidepressants that might be prescribed for the treatment of chronic fatigue syndrome are atypical antidepressants.

Common names include:

• Trazodone (Desyrel) *...

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Benzodiazepines are used to reduce anxiety and panic that may accompany CFS. They may also be used to promote sleep. Benzodiazepines are fast acting but can be habit-forming when used...

Read more about Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) and Benzodiazepines.

Acetaminophen may be prescribed for chronic fatigue syndrome to relieve pain from headache, joint or muscle pain. As with all medical treatments for CFS, they are used to treat the symptoms and not...

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Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may be used to relieve pain and fever associated with chronic fatigue syndrome. These medicines should be taken with food to prevent stomach upset. They...

Read more about Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) and NSAIDs.