Studies Show Milnacipran is Effective Fibromyalgia Treatment
NEWSBRIEF: Two phase-3 studies involving more than 2,000 people showed the serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI) milnacipran is effective at treating the widespread muscle pain of fibromyalgia (FMS), according to information presented at the World Congress on Pain.
Not yet available in the U.S., milnacipran is approved as an antidepressant in Japan and several European countries. The FDA currently is considering it as a fibromyalgia treatment.
Researchers say effective doses were 100-200 mg daily, compared to 300-600 mg daily in studies of Lyrica (pregabalin). People in both studies reported an average 30% improvement in pain.
In the studies, the most common side effects of milnacipran were nausea and headache. About 25% of participants withdrew because of adverse effects.
The drug's manufacturers, Forest Laboratories Inc. and Cypress Bioscience Inc., paid for the studies.
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I’ve been on Milnacipran as part of the long term trial for almost two years now. I will tell you that my pain levels are terrifically lower than they have ever been, and I’ve also had a big upswing in my energy levels as well. The initial side effects of nausea are hard, but they pass within about a month. It’s worth it to stick it out. Really it is.
I also heard that they may be starting another trial in a few months testing milnacipran and lyrica in combination. If I wasn’t already on this trial, I’d sign up for that one, no doubt.
How do you become part of these trials?