Unregistered User If this is not your name, click here.
		Contact Us | Order Now | Journals | Bookstore | Register a colleague
	Select a ChannelAcneAIDS and HIVAllergy OtherAlzheimer'sAnaesthesiology OtherAngina Pectoris/MIAnxietyArthritis OtherAsthmaBack PainBacterial InfectionsBladder CancerBone Marrow TransplantationBreast CancerCardiology OtherCataractCell TransplantationCervical CancerCholesterol/Lipid disordersCirrhosisClinical PharmacologyColorectal CancerCongestive Heart FailureContact DermatitisContraceptionCOPDCystic FibrosisDental and Oral DisordersDepressionDermatology OtherDiabetesDialysisEating DisordersElbowEmergency MedicineEndocrinology OtherEpilepsyErectile DysfunctionFibromyalgiaGastro OtherGeneticsGenitourinary OtherGeriatricsGERD/GastritisGlaucomaH. Pylori/UlcerHaematology OtherHair LossHeadachesHepa/Biliary OtherHepatitisHipHRTHypertensionIBDImmunologyInfectious OtherInfertilityIntensive CareIrritable Bowel SyndromeKneeLeukemiasLiver CancerLung CancerLupusLymphomasMelanomaMenopauseMultiple Sclerosis Nephrology OtherNeurologic OtherNutritional / Metabolic OtherOb/Gyn OtherObesityOncology OtherOphth. OtherOphthalmic SurgeryOrgan TransplantationOrthopaedics OtherOsteoarthritisOsteoporosisOtitisOtorhino. OtherOvarian CancerPaediatricsPainPancreatic CancerParkinson'sPregnancyProstate CancerPsychiatry OtherPulmonary OtherRadiologyRenal CancerRenal FailureRespiratory InfectionsRheumatoid arthritisRheumatology OtherRhinitisSchizophreniaShoulderSleep ApnoeaSleep DisordersSpineStrokeSTDsSurgeryThyroid DisordersTransfusionTransplant Surgery OtherTraumaUrinary IncontinenceUrinary tract infectionsVaccinologyVascular DisordersViral Infections

SEARCH   News Bookstore Medline The Web Meetings & Congresses Complete Doctor's Guide    EXPLORE :    All News   All Webcasts   All Cases   All Meetings & Congresses   All Medical Resources New drugs / indications English Dictionary Medical Dictionary Thesaurus Warning | Privacy | Awards  Favourite Journals  Click here to choose your favourite journals  Favourite Sites  Click here to choose your favourite sites  Languages  Select languageEnglishFrançais

Anti-depression Drugs Effective in Treating Fibromyalgia SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 24, 1995 -- Two drugs used to treat depression provide relief for fibromyalgia, a common syndrome that causes muscular pain, fatigue, and sleep disturbance, according to a study presented today at the American College of Rheumatology's national scientific meeting in San Francisco. When compared to placebo, a combination of Fluoxetine (Prozac) and amitriptyline (Elavil) provided significant improvement for people with fibromyalgia. The medications, when used in low dose, each lessened pain. When given together, there was even greater improvement. Fibromyalgia is a chronic syndrome that causes pain and stiffness throughout muscles, tendons, and ligaments. Particular points of pain are located in the muscles of the neck, spine, shoulders, and hips. It is one of the most common musculoskeletal problems, affecting up to 5 percent of the population. Fibromyalgia most often occurs in women of child-bearing age. While some people with fibromyalgia become depressed, the use of anti-depression drugs is not primarily to relieve depression. Instead, researchers believe that the drugs change the chemical balance of the brain to restore a proper sleep pattern and help relieve pain. "This study demonstrates that commonly available medications used to treat depression are also beneficial in the treatment of this common musculoskeletal pain disorder," said Don Goldenberg, M.D., lead author on the study and a rheumatologist at Tufts University School of Medicine. "It also implies that hormones manufactured in the central nervous system are important keys to understanding fibromyalgia." The American College of Rheumatology is the professional organization of rheumatologists and associated health professionals who share a dedication to healing, preventing disability, and curing the more than 100 types of arthritis and related disabling and sometimes fatal disorders of the joints, muscles, and bones. Members include practicing physicians, research scientists, nurses, physical and occupational therapists, psychologists, and social workers. CONTACT: Jim Moody, American College of Rheumatology, 415-442-6181, through Oct. 26 E-mail this page to a friend or colleague! To print, use this version