Treatment of Fibromyalgia varies because each patient experiences symptoms differently and at different levels. There is no magic pill that helps patients with fibromyalgia . It is often a trial and error process to find the drugs that work best for you .
Medications Fibromyalgia
This article describes the different medications used to treat the symptoms of fibromyalgia. Each drug has its own side effects and risks and should only be taken under the supervision of your doctor.
analgesics
Analgesics are drugs that are designed to relieve pain. This is usually the first place people go to treat your symptoms of fibromyalgia. However, there is still work to relieve your pain. Acetaminophen and NSAIDs are the only over-the -counter drugs on this list. All other drugs are available by prescription only.
Acetaminophen Acetaminophen relieves pain by elevating the pain threshold . It is available over the counter and by prescription in higher doses.
Common acetaminophen products :
Tylenol
Acephen
Nonsteroidal anti- inflammatory drugs ( NSAIDs) : NSAIDs treat pain and inflammation. Fibromyalgia is not an inflammatory condition ( people often mistakenly believe so ) the effectiveness of NSAIDs can be minimal . Personally, I find the greatest relief from Aleve .
common NSAIDs
Aspirin ( Bayer )
Advil (Advil )
Aleve (Aleve )
Celebrex : Celebrex is a COX -2 is a type of NSAIDs that blocks the COX-2 enzyme . At one point , there were three types of COX-2 on the market, but due to an increased risk of heart attack than Celebrex remains .
Narcotic (opioid )
Opioids work by blocking pain receptors in the brain. There is much debate over whether narcotics work effectively relieve the pain of fibromyalgia. Many physicians are reluctant to prescribe narcotics to relieve the pain of fibromyalgia, because they are very addictive.
Common opioids :
morphine
codeine
oxycodone
methadone
fentanyl
anticonvulsants
Anticonvulsants are drugs used to treat seizures . They also have the ability to relieve different types of pain . It is believed that the pain of fibromyalgia , because they eliminate the excitability of the nervous system . Lyrica is the only anticonvulsant approved by the FDA for fibromyalgia. However, there are other antiepileptic drugs on the market that are not approved to treat fibromyalgia .
antidepressants
Antidepressants help Fibromyalgia by decreasing depression, improve sleep and reduce pain.
Reuptake inhibitors of serotonin and norepinephrine (SNRIs) : SNRIs can relieve pain and are prescribed , even if you do not feel depression. There are two FDA approved SNRIs for Fibromyalgia :
FDA approved SNRIs for Fibromyalgia :
Cymbalta
Savella
Serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs): SSRIs are shown to reduce pain , improve sleep and decrease impression. Research shows that SNRIs are better treat fibromyalgia then SSRIs.
SSRIs
Paxil
Zoloft
Prozac
Tricyclic antidepressants : tricyclic antidepressants are sometimes prescribed down to help improve sleep and reduce the dose of pain.
The common tricyclic antidepressants
amitriptyline
amoxapine
clomipramine
desipramine
Doxepin
imipramine
nortriptyline
protriptyline
trimipramine
Muscle relaxants :
Muscle relaxants mask pain by reducing the brain's ability to feel pain .
Muscle relaxants common :
soma
flexeril
Norflex
Zanaflex
carisoprodol
cyclobenzaprine
Orphenadrine Citrate
Tizandine
Sleep medications:
Sleep medications are used to correct sleep disorders fibromyalgia. Different types of drugs are prescribed to improve sleep . Tricyclic antidepressants in low doses ( above) , Lyrica , Zyrem ( drug for narcolepsy ) and sedatives.
The common sleep medications :
Ambien
Lunesta
Rozerem
sonata
Two other drugs fibromyalgia worthy of mention :
LDN : LDN works by blocking receptors in the brain and make your immune system properly. Currently not approved by the FDA for fibromyalgia, but it is an inexpensive generic .
There have been studies that show improved symptoms of fibromyalgia using LDN .
Guaifenesin : If you are diagnosed shortly , you may be on the treatment of Guaifenesin "miracle" asking that "cures" 90% of their patients. Guaifenesin is an ingredient found in many cough syrups against the . Dr. R. Paul St. Amand believes that guaifenesin can reverse the symptoms of fibromyalgia based on his theory that fibromyalgia is caused by an excess of phosphate in the body. Guaifenesin causes the body to get rid of excess phosphate. Many studies have been done trying to prove his theory and the use of Guaifenesin for Fibromyalgia and none did .
There are treatment centers throughout the fibromyalgia in the United States on Guaifenesin Protocol to " cure fibromyalgia. " Do not accept health insurance and are very expensive to use despite the fact that Guaifenesin is an inexpensive way on drugs . I am wary of any facility that does not accept insurance. If you go into chat rooms on the Internet, you will always find people who claim Guaifenesin is the miracle cure. I think these people have a strong financial interest in promoting. Beware of anyone who promote this discredited theory .
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