Fibromyalgia Medications

There are currently two drugs approved as specific fibromyalgia medications. However, several drugs approved for other purposes can be used "off-label" to treat some of the symptoms of fibromyalgia. In addition, a few experimental drugs are currently being tested to see if they can become safe and effective treatments for fibromyalgia.

An Overview of Medications for Fibromyalgia

There are several treatment options for a person diagnosed with fibromyalgia. One treatment option is medication. At present, three medications, pregabalin (Lyrica®), duloxetine (Cymbalta®) and Savella™ (milnacipran hydrochloride), have been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) specifically for treating fibromyalgia.

Healthcare providers may also treat this condition with a variety of medications developed and approved for other purposes. Using these medicines for the treatment of fibromyalgia is known as an "off-label" purpose. While these drugs have not been licensed to treat fibromyalgia, a number of studies have shown that they can provide benefits to people with the condition.
 
(Click Off-Label to learn what off-label means, as well as off-label rules and how it is important to talk with your healthcare provider about the benefits and risks of using a drug in this manner.)
 
The following are some of the most commonly used categories of fibromyalgia medications:
 
  • Pain relievers (analgesics)
  • Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
  • Antidepressants
  • Benzodiazepines
  • Antiseizure medicines
  • A select group of other medications used to treat specific symptoms.
 
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Written by/reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
 
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