Fibromyalgia Medications

The best way to describe fibromyalgia is that it is the diagnosis that is given to a person who has chronic pain, stiffness, or tenderness to muscles, tendons, and joints where inflammation is not detected. Fibromyalgia seems to affect women more than men and often is hard to diagnose. Once your doctor diagnoses you with fibromyalgia, there are several treatment options available to help manage the pain that is associated with this syndrome.

Medications, along with exercise, physical therapy, and relaxation should help to increase your daily activities. Many times, antidepressants are prescribed to help with mood swings, sleepless nights, and also to help relax your body and muscles. Antidepressants, along with muscle relaxers, are generally the first line of treatment options for fibromyalgia patients. Cycloflex and Flexeril are two of the most common muscle relaxing medications that are used in treating fibromyalgia.

Tricyclic antidepressants Elavil and Pamelor are most often prescribed in low doses as a way to help with depression and also help a patient to sleep.

When it comes to pain from fibromyalgia, there are several different options for pain management. Most often, Tylenol (acetaminophen) or NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) are used as a way of relieving pain caused from fibromyalgia. NSAIDs (aspirin, ibuprofen, or naproxen) are most often used along with medications such as Flexeril or Elavil, which are pain medications.

Keep in mind that new medications are hitting the pharmacy every day. Stay in touch with your pharmacist and doctor as new treatment options may become available. Some of the newer medications are Mirapex, Kadian, Milnacipran, Paroxetine, and Pregabalin.