Study: Milnacipran Effective at Easing Fibromyalgia Pain, Other Symptoms

NEWSBRIEF: A new study supports findings that milnacipran is an effective treatment for fibromyalgia pain and other symptoms. Dosages studied were 100 and 200 mg per day.

This multicenter study, headed by leading fibromyalgia researcher Dr. Daniel Clauw, involved nearly 1,200 patients. After one week, participants reported significant improvements in pain, global status, physical function and fatigue. Over the 15-week course of treatment, improvements continued and some side effects were reported.

Side effects:

• About 20% of patients withdrew because of negative side effects (about double the rate of withdrawl for placebo recipients)
• Nausea: about 35%
• Headache: about 18%
• Constipation: about 16%

Milnacipran is currently awaiting FDA approval for fibromyalgia. It's not yet approved for any use in the U.S. but has been on the market for years in several countries.

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