Drug treatment clearly helps in managing symptoms of fibromyalgia. However, there is still no single drug or class of drug approved specifically for treating this disease. Patients may be given drugs that help ease pain, promote sleep and relieve depression. Some medications must taken regularly, whereas others are taken as needed. Below are the classes of drugs and specific treatments used for treating fibromyalgia:
Non-narcotic Analgesics
Non-narcotic analgesics help relieve mild to moderate pain without producing loss of consciousness. Many of these medications are sold over-the-counter. While they help in controlling symptoms, analgesics often do not provide effective long-term pain relief.
Acetaminophen is among the non-narcotic pain relievers that may help relieve fibromyalgia symptoms.
Narcotic analgesics
Narcotic agents are potent analgesics which are effective for the relief of moderate to severe pain. They are available in several dosage forms including tablets, extended release capsules, syrup, suspension,rectal suppositories, and solution for injection. These drugs are available only with the doctor's prescription.
Narcotic analgesics block the transmission of pain signals by binding to the opioid receptors in the central nervous system. The actions in the central nervous system are also responsible for side effects such as sedation, respiratory depression and intoxication. Using narcotic analgesics for a long time increases the risk of dependence. Chronic use of opioid analgesics should be reserved for patients with moderate to severe pain or significant functional impairment and if other therapies contraindicated or have failed to improve the condition. Below are some of the narcotic analgesics that may be prescribed for fibromyalgia pain. Tramadol and Oxycodone are examples of narcotic analgesics that are prescribed in the relief of pain associated with Fibromyalgia.
Anticonvulsants
Aside from treating epilepsy and bipolar disorder, anticonvulsants are also useful for neuropathic pain which is believed to be caused by abnormal firing in the CNS pathways. Anticonvulsants can relieve pain by decreasing this abnormal activity.
One of the anticonvulsants that has been useful for for relieving neuropathic pain is pregabalin (Lyrica) which is the first FDA -approved drug for Fibromyalgia.
Fibromyalgia syndrome is a chronic rheumatoid condition characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain, diffuse tenderness, fatigue, and a number of other seemingly unrelated symptoms. The word “fibromyalgia” comes the Latin term fibro (fibrous tissue) and the Greek words myo (muscle) and algia (pain).
One of the hallmark of fibromyalgia is tenderness on palpation of specific sites. In fibromyalgia, the pain in the tissues do not occur with inflammation. This is the reason why this syndrome neither causes joint deformities nor damages internal organs. Fibromyalgia symptoms present in varying degrees. For most patients, the widespread flu-like ache is constant, but for others it comes and goes. The muscles may feel like they were pulled or overworked. Sometimes the muscles twitch and other times they burn.
More on Fibromyalgia Symptoms
Anyone can develop fibromyalgia, but so far research shows that it predominantly affects women between the ages of 35 and 55. Many men have also been diagnosed with fibromyalgia, and some men go undiagnosed for years. Fibromyalgia can occur independently or with another disease, such as systemic lupus or rheumatoid arthritis. In the United States, about 2% of the population has fibromyalgia.
Living with Fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia has a considerable impact on everyday life. Many patients reported changes in habits and routines as a consequence of the disorder. For those with severe symptoms, fibromyalgia can be extremely debilitating. Findings of epidemiological research clearly indicate the socioeconomic burden of fibromyalgia .
Aside from physical symptoms like pain and fatigue, patients with fibromyalgia may also have to deal with the frustration of having a condition that's often misunderstood. Fibromyalgia is a complex health challenge. Counting on the expertise of health care providers is just half the battle, the patient's involvement is the other crucial half. In addition to medications, coping strategies and self-care can help in effectively managing all aspects of fibromyalgia.
Pregabalin (Lyrica) is recommended for the reduction of neuropathic pain associated with Fibromyalgia. The exact mechanism of pregabalin is unknown. Some data suggests that inhibits neuronal excitability by:
Pregabalin (Lyrica) helps relieve neuropathic pain, a type of pain caused by a problem with the nerves. Neuropathic pain is caused by many disorders including diabetic neuropathy, trigeminal neuralgia, fibromyalgia, and phantom limb syndrome. This type of pain may not respond well to traditional pain killers. Clinical studies suggest that some anticonvulsants including pregablin have analgesic properties which can benefit patients with neuropathic pain.
Pregabalin is an adjunctive therapypartial-onset seizures This medicine is also used to relieve pain that accompanies postherpetic neuralgia, diabetic neuropathy, and fibromyalgia.
Drug treatment clearly helps in managing symptoms of fibromyalgia. However, there is still no single drug or class of drug approved specifically for treating this disease. Patients may be given drugs that help ease pain, promote sleep and relieve depression. Some medications must taken regularly, whereas others are taken as needed. Below are the classes of drugs and specific treatments used for treating fibromyalgia:
Non-narcotic Analgesics
Non-narcotic analgesics help relieve mild to moderate pain without producing loss of consciousness. Many of these medications are sold over-the-counter. While they help in controlling symptoms, analgesics often do not provide effective long-term pain relief.
Acetaminophen is among the non-narcotic pain relievers that may help relieve fibromyalgia symptoms.
Narcotic analgesics
Narcotic agents are potent analgesics which are effective for the relief of moderate to severe pain. They are available in several dosage forms including tablets, extended release capsules, syrup, suspension,rectal suppositories, and solution for injection. These drugs are available only with the doctor's prescription.
Narcotic analgesics block the transmission of pain signals by binding to the opioid receptors in the central nervous system. The actions in the central nervous system are also responsible for side effects such as sedation, respiratory depression and intoxication. Using narcotic analgesics for a long time increases the risk of dependence. Chronic use of opioid analgesics should be reserved for patients with moderate to severe pain or significant functional impairment and if other therapies contraindicated or have failed to improve the condition. Below are some of the narcotic analgesics that may be prescribed for fibromyalgia pain. Tramadol and Oxycodone are examples of narcotic analgesics that are prescribed in the relief of pain associated with Fibromyalgia.
Anticonvulsants
Aside from treating epilepsy and bipolar disorder, anticonvulsants are also useful for neuropathic pain which is believed to be caused by abnormal firing in the CNS pathways. Anticonvulsants can relieve pain by decreasing this abnormal activity.
One of the anticonvulsants that has been useful for for relieving neuropathic pain is pregabalin (Lyrica) which is the first FDA -approved drug for Fibromyalgia.
