Pharmacologic treatment of fibromyalgia

Curr Pain Headache Rep. 2005 Oct;9(5):301-6. doi: 10.1007/s11916-005-0003-x.

Abstract

Fibromyalgia is a syndrome of widespread pain, nonrestorative sleep, disturbed mood, and fatigue. Optimal treatment involves a multidisciplinary approach with a team of health care providers using pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic treatment. Because of the heterogeneity of the illness, management should be individualized for the patient. Pharmacologic treatment should address issues of pain control, sleep disturbance, fatigue, and any underlying coexisting mood disorder. Nonpharmacologic treatment should include patient education, a regular exercise and stretching program, and cognitive behavioral therapy. All of these are essential to improving functional capacity and quality of life. This review provides general guidelines in initiating a successful pharmacologic treatment program for patients with fibromyalgia.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Analgesics / therapeutic use
  • Fatigue / drug therapy
  • Fatigue / etiology
  • Fibromyalgia / complications
  • Fibromyalgia / drug therapy*
  • Fibromyalgia / psychology
  • Humans
  • Mood Disorders / drug therapy
  • Mood Disorders / etiology
  • Pain / drug therapy
  • Pain / etiology
  • Sleep Wake Disorders / drug therapy
  • Sleep Wake Disorders / etiology

Substances

  • Analgesics