Fibromyalgia Medication
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Medications does not cure the fibromyalgia completely but they help to improve fibromyalgia symptoms, especially muscle pain and frequent waking during the night times. Antidepressants are often used to treat symptoms of fibromyalgia. They help by improving sleep and mood or by blocking pain signals. Many people with fibromyalgia appear to benefit from the use of these medicines.
Categories of Drugs used in the Treatment of Fibromyalgia can include
Analgesics: Analgesics are a type of pain killer such as aspirin and acetaminophen, or prescription-strength pain pills like narcotics (opiates), codeine, Vicodin, Darvocet, Oxycontin and Percocet. Ultram is a pain reliever that differs from narcotics in its action on the central nervous system. These medications do not cure fibromyalgia, but they can help to relive from the pain.
Anti-Inflammatory Medicines: These medicines include aspirin, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen, Naprosyn, Lodine, Daypro etc., These medications are both anti-inflammatory and analgesic. Some of these medicines, such as ibuprofen, are available both over the counter and on by prescription. these drugs are helpful in reducing pain with excessive physical activity, tendonitis, or bursitis, and should be used only as needed.
Antidepressant Medicines: The antidepressant include the medicines such as tricyclics and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. These medicines can treat pain and alter sleep and mood disturbances seen in fibromyalgia. The tricyclic medicines are effective, but side effects include dry mouth and drowsiness. Sleep disturbances can be reduced by using low doses.
Muscle Relaxants: This will decrease pain in people with fibromyalgia. Medicines in this family include Flexeril, Soma, Skelaxin, and Robaxin. The most common side effect is drowsiness, although Soma and Skelaxin cause less of it.
Sleep Modifiers: Sleep modifiers include benzodiazepines like Restoril and the hypnotic non-benzodiazepines such as Ambien. The most common reported concern about using sleep modifiers, especially benzodiazepams, is the habit-forming potential. Ambien is reported to be less habit-forming but can cause rebound insomnia when it’s stopped. Sonata is a newer sleep modifier that is not habit forming and doesn’t cause rebound insomnia.
Anti-Anxiety Medicines: Anxiety is a common problem in fibromyalgia and contributes to pain, muscle tension, and irritability. It may lead to depression and insomnia. Benzodiazepines such as Klonopin, Ativan, and Xanax, are commonly used to treat Anxiety. These medicines also cause sedation and thus can improve sleep. Side effects include depression and decreased memory.
Other Medicines Used to Treat Chronic Pain: Other medicines can be used to treat pain. For example, anti-seizure medicines known as neuroleptics (including Neurontin, Dilantin, Depakote, and Tegretol) were later found to be helpful in treating pain, particularly neuropathic pain. People with fibromyalgia who have a lot of burning or electric shock feelings in their hands and feet may improve from a trial of neuroleptic medicines. |
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