AskDrug 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.
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Effect of Acetaminophen on Fibromyalgia
Acetaminophen is among the non-narcotic analgesics or pain relievers that may help relieve fibromyalgia symptoms. Non-narcotic analgesics help relieve mild to moderate pain without producing loss of...
Read more about Fibromyalgia and Acetaminophen.
Effect of Tramadol on Fibromyalgia
Tramadol is a stronger analgesic that may be recommended to fibromyalgia patients if medications like acetaminophen or NSAID's are not helpful.
Tramadol produces pain relief within an hour after...
Read more about Fibromyalgia and Tramadol.
Effect of Oxycodone on Fibromyalgia
Oxycodone is used for mild to moderate pain. It reduces the awareness of pain by mimicking the action of certain hormones at opioid receptors in the central nervous system and the gastrointestinal...
Read more about Fibromyalgia and Oxycodone.
Effect of Pregabalin (Lyrica) on 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...
Read more about Fibromyalgia and Pregabalin (Lyrica).
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