Nonarticular Rheumatism/Regional Pain Syndrome Medication
- Author: Daniel Muller, MD, PhD; Chief Editor: Herbert S Diamond, MD more...
Medication Summary
Fibromyalgia and multiple bursitis-tendonitis syndrome
Nonrestorative sleep is a significant problem for patients with fibromyalgia. Initial drug therapy consists of a low-dose sedating tricyclic antidepressant (TCA), usually amitriptyline (5-10 mg) 1 hour prior to bedtime.[17] The dose is titrated upward every 5-14 days as tolerated, using the minimal dose to achieve restorative sleep. TCAs can cause excessive sedation; therefore, sertraline 25 mg in the morning or another of the more activating antidepressants (eg, fluoxetine) can be added.[18] Other less-sedating TCAs can be substituted for amitriptyline in the evening (eg, nortriptyline) if necessary because of sedation. Dual-action serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, such as milnacipran and duloxetine, have shown to be helpful in fibromyalgia.[19, 20]
Gabapentin has been used off-label for fibromyalgia syndrome because of its salutary effects on chronic pain. A recent clinical trial has shown benefit in fibromyalgia.[21] Pregabalin, a similar drug, has been shown to be modestly beneficial in patients with fibromyalgia syndrome at a dose of 450 mg/day.[22]
Trazodone can also be particularly helpful for sedation at night and may cause fewer adverse effects than amitriptyline. Doxepin, a non-TCA antidepressant, can be useful in liquid form to titrate at low doses (2-5 mg) for sedation at night. Cyclobenzaprine can relax muscles and can be used as a single dose at night (2.5-10 mg) or, commonly, at 10 mg tid.
Analgesic effects of NSAIDs may be helpful. One controlled trial showed benefits with tramadol (50-400 mg in divided doses)[23] ; however, tramadol used in combination with antidepressants can cause serotonin syndrome and increased sedation. Tramadol may play a role by allowing a 4-week drug holiday from antidepressant therapy to reset neural receptors and, in intermittent therapy, for exacerbations. Avoid long-term use of benzodiazepines and narcotics.
A recent small study evaluated low-dose naltrexone (4.5 mg) as therapy for fibromyalgia. They found that it reduced symptoms by about 30%, while placebo reduced symptoms by only 2%.[24] Another study showed that sodium oxybate could improve symptoms by about 30% (compared with 10% for placebo).[25] However, access to sodium oxybate is restricted in the United States.
Regional and local bursitis and tendonitis
NSAIDs can decrease inflammation. Corticosteroid infiltrations may provide short-term and, occasionally, long-term benefit. The Achilles tendon sheath must not be injected with corticosteroids because of the risk of tendon rupture. Patients with septic bursitis or tendonitis and systemic symptoms should be admitted for intravenous antibiotic therapy.
See Temporomandibular Joint Syndrome, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Thoracic Outlet Syndrome, Tendonitis, and Bursitis.
Antidepressants
Class Summary
Some antidepressants provide sedation and relieve chronic pain. They may have a moderate-to-marked sedative effect.
Milnacipran (Savella)
Selective serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SSNRI). Exact mechanism of central pain inhibitory action and ability to improve symptoms of fibromyalgia unknown. Indicated for fibromyalgia.
Amitriptyline (Elavil)
Analgesic for certain chronic and neuropathic pain.
Sertraline (Zoloft)
SSRI, less sedating than TCAs but appears to improve pain symptoms.
Doxepin (Sinequan)
Inhibits histamine and acetylcholine activity and has proven useful in treatment of various forms of depression associated with chronic and neuropathic pain. Prominent sedative effect. Useful in oral concentrate, 10 mg/mL, to titrate small doses.
Trazodone (Desyrel)
5-HT2–receptor antagonist that inhibits reuptake of 5-HT. Negligible affinity for cholinergic, adrenergic, dopaminergic, or histaminic receptors. Intermediate sedation activity.
Fluoxetine (Prozac)
SSRI, less sedating than TCAs but appears to improve symptoms of pain.
Duloxetine (Cymbalta)
Potent neuronal serotonin inhibitor and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor. Antidepressive action is theorized to be due to serotonergic and noradrenergic potentiation in CNS.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents (NSAIDS)
Class Summary
Although most NSAIDs are used primarily for their anti-inflammatory effects, they are effective analgesics and are useful for the relief of mild-to-moderate pain.
Ibuprofen (Ibuprin, Advil, Motrin)
DOC for mild-to-moderate pain. Inhibits inflammatory reactions and pain by decreasing prostaglandin synthesis.
Centrally acting analgesics
Class Summary
Pain control is essential to quality patient care. Analgesics ensure patient comfort and have sedating properties.
Tramadol (Ultram)
Binds to mu opioid receptors and slightly inhibits reuptake of norepinephrine and serotonin.
Muscle relaxants
Class Summary
These agents are thought to work centrally by suppressing conduction in the vestibular cerebellar pathways. They may have an inhibitory effect on the parasympathetic nervous system.
Cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril)
Structurally similar to TCAs. Has anticholinergic and sedative adverse effects.
Anticonvulsants
Class Summary
These agents may alleviate chronic pain.
Gabapentin (Neurontin)
Membrane stabilizer, a structural analogue of inhibitory neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), which paradoxically is thought not to exert effect on GABA receptors. Appears to exert action via the alpha(2)delta1 and alpha(2)delta2 auxiliary subunits of voltage-gaited calcium channels. Used to manage pain and provide sedation in neuropathic pain.
Pregabalin (Lyrica)
Structural derivative of GABA. Mechanism of action unknown. Binds with high affinity to alpha2-delta site (a calcium channel subunit). In vitro, reduces calcium-dependent release of several neurotransmitters, possibly by modulating calcium channel function. Indicated for neuropathic pain associated with diabetic peripheral neuropathy, postherpetic neuralgia, or fibromyalgia. It is also indicated for adjunctive therapy in partial-onset seizures.
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