Research Brief
A new study compared the safety and effectiveness of the three FDA-approved fibromyalgia drugs -- Cymbalta (duloxetine), Savella (milnacipran) and Lyrica (pregabalin).
Researchers compared side effects as well as effects on pain, sleep disturbance, depression, and fatigue.
Symptom Management
- Pain: Cymbalta and Lyrica were superior to Savella
- Sleep Disturbance: Cymbalta and Lyrica were superior to placebo; Savella was not superior to placebo
- Depression: Cymbalta was the best against depression; Lyrica was not superior to placebo
- Fatigue: Lyrica and Savella fared better than placebo; Cymbalta was not superior to placebo
- Short-term efficacy: All 3 drugs have evidence of short-term efficacy, meaning up to 6 months
Side Effects
Researchers compared the risk of the most common side effects of these drugs.
- Headache and nausea: Lyrica had the lowest risk
- Diarrhea: Cymbalta had the greatest risk
For more information on these drugs, including side effects and how they work, see:
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I have taken cymbalta and it did not change how I felt at all. In fact it drove my blood pressure dangerously high, which is a known side effect. I was then switched to another ssri and I saw little difference betweent them. It took about 3 weeks for my blood pressure to return to the low-end of normal where it usually is.