A New Medication for Fibromyalgia Pain?

Author: Barry Hughes, Ph.D.

Article:
The makers of Cymbalta have been working on getting it approved
by the Food and Drub Administration for the treatment of
fibromyalgia. That would make it the second medication approved
for that use. The first, the anti-convulsant Lyrica, was
approved fairly recently and is in wide use. Cymbalta is already
FDA approved for depression, anxiety, and neuropathic pain.

There were some early research studies using Cymbalta with
fibromyalgia that showed some promise. Cymbalta is an
anti-depressant. While most anti-depressants work on either the
serotonin neurotransmitter system or the norepinephrine
neurotransmitter system, Cymbalta works on both systems.

<b>The Most Recent Clinical Trial</b>

Earlier this month, at the meeting of the American College of
Rheumatology, a report of a new study on Cymbalta was released.
This study was a <i>Phase III Clinical Trial,</i> signifying
where the medication is at in the process of being studied for
possible FDA approval.

This study lasted 27 weeks and compared people with fibromyalgia
who took Cymbalta versus those who were given a placebo.

The participants were compared using measures of the following:
<i>

 *Pain Severity as measured by the Brief Pain Inventory; and

*Global Improvement as reported by the patient.</i>

There was not a significant difference between the reports of
the patients taking Cymbalta as compared to those taking the
placebo.

While the results were disappointing overall, Cymbalta did
perform better on some secondary measures, including: <i>

 *Overall Mental Functioning; and

*Mental Fatigue.</i>

There have been other Phase III Trial studies completed and
awaiting reports of the results. While these results were
disappointing in some ways, it seems likely that Cymbalta will
eventually be an important component of treatment for
fibromyalgia for many people, particularly those who experience
significant depression.



About the author:
Barry Hughes, Ph.D. is a psychologist and publisher of <a
href="http://www.chronic-pain-alternatives.com/">Chronic Pain
Alternatives,</a> which provides "Resources and Information for
People with Chronic Pain." He has built this site using <a
href="http://www.sitesell.com/Barry43.html/">Site Build It!,</a>
the easiest way to translate your passion onto the Web.