Emerging therapies for fibromyalgia

Expert Opin Emerg Drugs. 2008 Mar;13(1):53-62. doi: 10.1517/14728214.13.1.53.

Abstract

Background: Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is a disorder characterized by widespread pain, tenderness, and fatigue. High prevalence marks the syndrome which is considered to reflect altered central pain processing. Fibromyalgia syndrome runs a chronic, non-progressive course, extracting high price owing to impaired quality of life, restricted vocational capacity, and increased health care utilization.

Objective: To review current and emerging trends in the treatment of FMS.

Methods: A rigorous search of published literature, abstract presentations, and industry provided data was performed.

Results/conclusion: The recent FDA approval of pregabalin as a first specific medication for FMS may herald a new era for the development of medications with higher specificity and efficacy for this hitherto frustrating condition.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Analgesics / pharmacology
  • Analgesics / therapeutic use
  • Animals
  • Anticonvulsants / pharmacology
  • Anticonvulsants / therapeutic use
  • Antidepressive Agents / pharmacology
  • Antidepressive Agents / therapeutic use
  • Drugs, Investigational / pharmacology
  • Drugs, Investigational / therapeutic use*
  • Fibromyalgia / complications
  • Fibromyalgia / drug therapy*
  • Fibromyalgia / physiopathology
  • Humans
  • Pain / complications
  • Pain / drug therapy
  • Pain / physiopathology
  • Pain Measurement / drug effects

Substances

  • Analgesics
  • Anticonvulsants
  • Antidepressive Agents
  • Drugs, Investigational