One of the most frustrating aspects of fibromyalgia has been the lack of viable medications to treat its symptoms. Many different things are tried in combination for relief of pain and for problems with sleep. When a patient is diagnosed with fibromyalgia, most often a program is prescribed that includes patient education, behavior modification, gentle therapy, and medication for sleep and pain. In 2003, however, a study at an outpatient clinic found that a combination of analgesic drugs, tramadol and acetaminophen, could be a safe and effective way to achieve at least moderate fibromyalgia pain.

Study participants, primarily women between the ages of 18 and 75 years, were allowed to take medication for depression and sleeping aids. There were 315 participants, half taking the combination medication and half taking a placebo. Results of the study confirmed that the combination of these drugs was a safe and effective way to relieve pain for patients with fibromyalgia.

Because many medications are used in combination to treat fibromyalgia, the use of antidepressants and sleep aids was specifically examined in this study, and was not felt to be a problem (participants in previous studies had not been allowed to use antidepressants and sleep aids). The report’s authors, however, warn that taking several medications with acetaminophen in combination with these two drugs could be toxic. Consequently, if your doctor is considering prescribing the tramadol and acetaminophen combination, it’s critically important to tell your doctor about all other medications (including both prescription and over-the-counter) you may be taking, especially those containing acetaminophen.

For more information: “Tramadol and acetaminophen combination tablets in the treatment of fibromyalgia pain: A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study,” R. Bennett, MD; M. Kamin, MD; R. Karim, PhD; N. Rosenthal, MD, The American Journal of Medicine, Vol 114, p. 537-545, May 2003.