Medications Used To Treat Fibromyalgia

Individuals with fibromyalgia will be placed on a treatment plan with the goal of reducing the severity of the symptoms that they experience so that they have an improved quality of life. Medications are an important part of the treatment plan.

Those who suffer from fibromyalgia for several of the symptoms such as muscle aches, chronic migraines and general body aches and pains use over-the-counter medications. A prescription is not needed for over-the-counter-medications but patients should still let the doctor know that they are taking them because there could be inter-reactions between prescription medications and over-the-counter medications and the doctor should know you are taking them.

Analgesics are given to dull the pain, which is one of the major symptoms of fibromyalgia. Over-the-counter analgesics do not provide good, long-term pain relief. They are fine at providing temporary pain relief, and can reduce the pain of chronic headaches and migraines, but are not effective when it comes to maximum pain relief.

The fibromyalgia medications include anti-depressants, benzodiazepines, growth hormone therapy, Mirapex, COAT, Opiods, and Over-the-counter medications.

What are NSAIDS?

NSAIDS are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. It is a medication that is sold over-the-counter and prescription and is designed to relieve both inflammation and pain. There are many popular over-the-counter NSAID pain relievers such as aspirin, ketoprofen, ibuprofen, and naproxen. They relieve both pain and inflammation. Some people have side effects such as constipation, headache, diarrhea, and skin rash.

Anti-depressants are used to help relieve the symptoms of depression, which is a common symptom of fibromyalgia. They can also relieve other symptoms of fibromyalgia such as sleeping problems. There are different antidepressants such as tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). TCAs work on the chemicals in the brain that transmit messages about pain and emotion. Taking these can reduce pain and give restful sleep. SSRIs are effective in treating symptoms of anxiety and depression.

Benzodiazepines are in the depressant family of drugs. They are used to reduce the symptoms of stress and anxiety. They can also be used to treat sleep disorders and pain.

Some individuals believe that low growth hormone production is a possible cause for fibromyalgia. Our bodies produce a natural human growth hormone (GH). The body naturally makes less as we age and no longer require our bodies to grow. Lack of this growth hormone can lead to symptoms such as muscle weakness, fatigue, chronic pain and hypersensitivity to the cold.

It is felt that growth hormones can relieve the fibromyalgia symptoms including chronic and severe pain, muscle weakness, and fatigue.

Mirapex is a new drug that normally is being used to treat Parkinson's disease. Researchers believe that it can reduce muscle pain and muscle spasms.