Fibromyalgia Pain Relief Found with Drug Combination

One of the most frustrating aspects of fibromyalgia has been the lack of viable medications to treat its symptoms. Many different drugs have been tried alone and 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.

Pain Relief Combination
In 2003, however, a study at an outpatient clinic found that a combination of two analgesic drugs, tramadol and acetaminophen, could be a safe and effective way to achieve at least moderate fibromyalgia pain relief.

All study participants, primarily women between the ages of 18 and 75 years, were allowed to take medication for depression and sleeping aids. Of the 315 participants, half took the combination medication and half took a placebo.

Results of the study confirmed that the combination of these drugs was a safe and effective way to provide pain relief for patients with fibromyalgia.

The report’s authors, however, warn that taking other medications containing 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.

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For more information about treatments for Fibromyalgia, see Fibromyalgia Treatment Update.

See Fibromyalgia Symptoms Helped by Synthetic Marijuana to learn how people with fibromyalgia may have another treatment option in controlling their symptoms and improving quality of life.