Eli Lilly, the manufacturer of Cymbalta (duloxetine), submitted their application to the FDA on August 21 to request that this drug be approved to treat fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS). Based on Fibromyalgia Network’s 2006 survey on the most helpful medications prescribed for FMS symptoms, Cymbalta was rated the fifth most popular drug. Obviously, many of our Members are already taking this medication “off label,” so the FDA’s decision will not change the way that most patients are being treated. However, having two drugs FDA-approved for FMS does make an important statement: it tells everyone that your symptoms are real and that treatment with specific medications is deemed essential!

Cymbalta is a serotonin and norepinephrine “dual” reuptake inhibitor, meaning that it equally boosts the action of both of these neurotransmitters, particularly in the central nervous system where they are needed to fight pain. The most common side effects are nausea, drowsiness, dry mouth, constipation, diarrhea, and feeling jittery. Many doses were tested in the clinical trials, but 60 mg per day was the most effective (patients must dose up slowly over a two week period to minimize side effects). Although Cymbalta was initially developed as an anti-depressant, research shows that its ability to relieve FMS pain is completely independent of its impact on depression.

Even if Cymbalta does not work for you (or you cannot take it because you have restless legs syndrome), there is still much to be hopeful about. In this eNews Alert we introduce the world’s first fibromyalgia tissue bank program initiated over a year ago at Sun Health Research Institute. This program shows great promise to accelerate discoveries in the field and lead to the development of novel drugs that do work for you!

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