• Skip to main content
  • About
    • Our History
    • The Problem
    • How We Help
    • Why TPC?
    • Testimonials
  • Providers
  • Locations
  • Conditions
  • Treatments
  • Patient Resources
    • Blog
    • Patient Forms
    • Pain News Magazine
    • Patient FAQ
    • Medical Records Request
  • Referring Providers
    • Fax Forms
    • Insurance Information
    • Referral Testimonials
  • Contact
Request an Appointment Now
Fax a Referral Forms
623.269.9189
623.516.8252Patient Portal
Request an Appointment
Fax Referral Forms
  • About
    • Our History
    • The Problem
    • How We Help
    • Why TPC?
    • Testimonials
  • Providers
  • Locations
  • Conditions
  • Treatments
  • Patient Resources
    • Blog
    • Patient Forms
    • Pain News Magazine
    • Patient FAQ
    • Medical Records Request
  • Referring Providers
    • Fax Forms
    • Insurance Information
    • Referral Testimonials
  • Contact
Home » Blog » Fibromyalgia Medications

Fibromyalgia Medications

May 1, 2013

Fibromyalgia patients know that there are many different kinds of medications available to treat fibro symptoms, medications that range from pain medicines to sleeping pills to antidepressants. While some ease pain, others boost mood and improve sleep. Working with a pain management specialist like those at The Pain Center of Arizona can help patients find the right fibromyalgia medication to add to their treatment regimen. That way, symptoms can be managed more effectively.

Initially, antidepressants are used to treat fibro, and they help relieve pain, fatigue, and sleep problems. In addition, antidepressants help depression, which is commonly seen in people with fibromyalgia. Older antidepressants, called tricyclics, have been used for many years to treat fibromyalgia. The tricyclic antidepressants, including Elavil (amitriptyline) and Pamelor (nortriptyline), work by raising the levels of chemicals (neurotransmitters) in the brain.

Tricyclic antidepressants increase levels of serotonin and norepinephrine in the brain. People with chronic pain often have decreased levels of these calming neurotransmitters. Tricyclics can relax painful muscles and heighten the effects of endorphins—the body’s natural painkillers. While these medications are often very effective, the side effects can sometimes make them difficult to take as they may cause drowsiness, dizziness, dry mouth, dry eyes, and constipation.

There are several different types of antidepressants and several of them have been shown to help relieve the pain, fatigue, and sleep problems in people with fibromyalgia.

The most well-studied antidepressants for fibromyalgia include Cymbalta (duloxetine), Savella (milnacipran), and Effexor (venlafaxine). Cymbalta and Savella are specifically FDA-approved to treat fibromyalgia. There is less medical research to show that Effexor helps fibromyalgia. Other antidepressants that have also been studied for fibromyalgia and may help include Prozac (fluoxetine), Paxil (paroxetine), and Celexa (citalopram).

Different antidepressants work differently in the body. In addition, what works for one person with fibromyalgia may not work for someone else. That’s why people with fibromyalgia may have to try more than antidepressant to find the one that best relieves the pain, fatigue, and sleep difficulties associated with the condition.

Different types of pain relievers are sometimes recommended to ease the deep muscle pain and trigger-point pain that comes with fibromyalgia. The problem is these pain relievers don’t work the same for everyone with fibromyalgia.

The over-the-counter pain reliever acetaminophen elevates the pain threshold so you perceive less pain. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), when taken alone, don’t typically work that well for fibromyalgia. However, when combined with other fibromyalgia medicines, NSAIDs often do help. NSAIDs are available over the counter and include drugs such as aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen.

Be careful taking aspirin or other NSAIDs if you have stomach problems. These medications can lead to heartburn, nausea or vomiting, stomach ulcers, and stomach bleeding. This risk of serious bleeding is even higher in people over the age of 60. Don’t take over-the-counter NSAIDs for more than 10 days without checking with your doctor. Taking them for a prolonged period increases the chance of serious side effects.  Aspirin and other NSAIDs can cause or worsen stomach ulcers. If you’ve had ulcers or any kind of stomach or intestinal bleeding, talk to your doctor before taking NSAIDs.

Acetaminophen is relatively free of side effects, but patients who have liver disease should avoid it. Also, make sure to not take more than recommended as that greatly increases the risk of side effects, including liver damage.

The muscle relaxant cyclobenzaprine has proved useful for the treatment of fibromyalgia. It’s often prescribed to help ease muscle tension and improve sleep. Muscle relaxants work in the brain to relax muscles.

With muscle relaxants, patients may experience dry mouth, dizziness, drowsiness, blurred vision, clumsiness, unsteadiness, and change in the color of urine. These medications may increase the likelihood of seizures. Older adults sometimes experience confusion and hallucinations when taking them.

If you suffer from chronic pain due to any condition or injury, find hope at The Pain Center of Arizona! Our dedicated team of board certified pain management physicians will work with you to treat your pain, increase your functionality and quality of life, and get you back into life! We have locations across Arizona, including Phoenix, Anthem, Surprise, Mesa, Gilbert, Deer Valley, Paradise Valley, Scottsdale, and now Prescott and Tucson! We take multiple insurance plans; click here to see if we take yours! To make an appointment and take the first step toward getting back into life, call us today at 1-888-PAINCENTER. We hope to see you soon!

The advice and information contained in this article is for educational purposes only, and is not intended to replace or counter a physician’s advice or judgment. Please always consult your physician before taking any advice learned here or in any other educational medical material.

Supplements For Fibromyalgia
Reactive Arthritis – Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

Related Posts

Chronic Pelvic Pain in Women

January 27, 2023

No day goes by where we wouldn’t like to feel our best, taking on the day, accomplishing tasks, and pursuing our hopes and dreams. Unfortunately, chronic pain can poison our...

Read moremore about Chronic Pelvic Pain in Women

What is Endometriosis?

January 13, 2023

Endometriosis may be another long, meaningless medical term for some, but for others, it’s an all too familiar source of pain and discomfort. Chronic conditions that cause pain to the...

Read moremore about What is Endometriosis?

Treating Tailbone Pain That Won’t Go Away

September 12, 2022

Tailbone pain, also known as coccydynia or coccygodynia, is the pain in or around the bottom of your spine (coccyx). It can be caused by impact trauma, a sedentary lifestyle...

Read moremore about Treating Tailbone Pain That Won’t Go Away

Have Questions? Contact Us 623.516.8252

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • Instagram
Common Conditions Treated
  • Back Pain
  • Neck Pain
  • Leg Pain
  • Joint Pain
  • Pelvic Pain
  • Arm Pain
  • Abdominal Pain
  • Head Pain
  • Foot Pain
  • Total Body Pain

Not sure? See all conditions.

For Patients
  • Request Appointment
  • Meet the Providers
  • Patient Forms
  • FAQ
  • Accepted Insurance
  • Patient Testimonials
  • Patient Portal
  • Medical Device Warning
  • Locations
For Referral Coordinators
  • Why The Pain Center?
  • Fax Forms
  • Insurance Forms
  • Physicians by Location
  • What Our Referrals Are Saying
© 2023 The Pain Center. All rights reserved.
Privacy Policy & Terms of Use  |  Non-Discrimination Policy