search results for flexeril

Are there prescription treatments for fibromyalgia?

Doctors may prescribe a muscle relaxer called cyclobenzaprine (brand name Flexeril) alone or along with >ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil) to relieve pain and relax muscle spasms associated with fibromyalgia. For particularly tender areas, your doctor may inject a steroid medicine (such as Solu-Cortef) to help relieve pain and improve movement.

If you have depression or anxiety, an antidepressant or anti-anxiety medicine may help. Some people find that antidepressants can also help with sleep, daytime fatigue, and pain. >Amitriptyline (brand name Elavil) is the most widely studied antidepressant for people with fibromyalgia. More recently, doctors have been prescribing antidepressants such as fluoxetine (>Prozac), sertraline (>Zoloft), and paroxetine (>Paxil) for symptoms of depression, fatigue, and sleep problems. Prescription sleeping medicines such as zaleplon (Sonata), eszopiclone (Lunesta), and zolpidem (Ambien) may be of help for sleep difficulty, but should only be used short-term. While these drugs offer short-term benefits, more studies are needed to determine how well they work over time.

Sources:
Arnold LM. “Antidepressant Treatment of Fibromyalgia. A Meta-analysis and Review,” Psychosomatics, 41 (2000).
Koopman WJ. Arthritis and Allied Conditions. Williams and Wilkins. 1997.
The Merck Manual of Medical Information: Home Edition. Merck & Co., 1997.
Alarcon GS, Bradley LA. "Advances in the Treatment of Fibromyalgia: Current Status and Future Directions." The American Journal of the Medical Sciences, 315 (1998).
Diseases and Conditions, "Fibromyalgia." http://www.mayoclinic.com. Mayo Clinic Health. Last accessed 1/3/2007.Drug Facts and Comparisons. Facts & Comparisons, 2007.

This answer prepared 10/27/2000.
This information updated 1/3/2007.

• >Sonata
• >Lunesta
• >Ambien

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