Classic brochure

Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Frequently Prescribed Medications for
Tricyclic Antidepressants
muscular weakness and concentration problems, and they Fibromyalgia
Tryptizol (Amitriptyline) is known for pain relieving
ÚÚÚÚÚÚÚÚÚÚÚÚÚÚÚÚÚÚÚÚÚÚÚÚÚÚÚÚÚÚ effects and ability to help sleep. This medication should be Serotonin Boosting Medications (SSRIs)
taken early in the evening or half dose in the evening and TRICYCLIC ANTI-DEPRESSANTS
the other half at bedtime to avoid morning hangover. Prozac (Fluoxetine) is available in liquid as well as tablet
Amitriptyline-Tryptizol Doxepin - Sinequan
form. Prozac may cause insomnia, but it can be taken in Nortriptyline -Allegron
Trazadone- Molipaxin
Sinequan (Doxepin) Also a tricyclic that functions in the
combination with one of the sedating tricyclics such as body as an antihistamine. Available in both tablet and BENZODIAZEPINES
Alprazolam – Xanax
Seroxat (Paroxetine hydrochloride) This medication is the
Diazepam - Valium
Allegron (Nortriptyline) is an antidepressant with a weak
most potent of this type. A sedating medication may be sedative or stimulating property which may be useful in needed at night in conjunction with Seroxat. It can cause SEROTONIN- BOOSTING MEDICATIONS
people with severe fatigue. May help to lift depression nervousness, insomnia, nausea, sexual difficulties and quite quickly, but like all these tablets may also have Fluoxetine – Proz
Cipramil
Paroxetine – Seroxat Sertaline
Sertaline (Lustral) is similar in action to Prozac being less
Escitalopram-Cipraflex
Venlafaxine-Efexor
Molipaxin (Trazodone) is as effective as the other anti
sedative than the Tricyclic drugs and shouldn't cause depressants, however, it is chemically different and may MUSCLE RELAXANTS
be less likely to cause side effects. Molipaxin is a mild Tizanadine - Zanaflex Baclofen
Lioresal
stimulant and may make a sleep problem worse if Prothiaden (Dothiepin hydorchloride). Similar to the
combined with a tricyclic anti-depressant at night others, this drug is often given if anxiety plays a large role Methocarbamol-Robaxin
in your Fibromyalgia. It has sedation as well as anti- Benzodiazepines
depression properties. Dosages start low if given purely ANALGESICS
(Anti-depressant and anti-anxiety properties) Prescription medications at doctor’s discretion. Efexor (Venlafaxine Hydrochloride) is not related to the
Xanax (Alprazolam) May be more effective if taken with
tricyclics or the Prozac like drugs, however, it does boost Ibuprofen. However, it may actually cause depression in some individuals and may be addictive, but may also be serotonin and has tricyclic properties. The typical side effective in some cases of Fibromyalgia if taken in low effects are nervousness, anxiety, insomnia, and increased Valium (Diazepam) can be used for short-term treatment
Muscle Relaxants
of anxiety states associated with insomnia or depression. ¿ These drugs are potentially addictive and if used frequently, Normal dose rates are between 2 and 5 mg a day for those Robaxin (Methocarbamol) is a muscle relaxant whose
with Fibromyalgia but may be higher if clinical depression effects are not fully understood, but which may relax cramped muscles. Robaxin may be taken in combination ANTIEPILEPTIC DRUGS
with Tryptizol to provide maximum relief. Lorezapam and Oxazepam are similar in effect to the Must be used with caution for FMS purposes.
above and equally given in low doses initially to effect. Norflex (Orphenadreine Citrate) is one to try if the patient
does not respond to Amitriptyline. It is a central acting The anti-depressant and anti-anxiety properties of these analgesic muscle relaxant that has been found to decrease medications can cause the following effects: depression, pain in some FMS patients. Norflex is most often taken at drowsiness, impaired co-ordination, impaired memory, Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú

Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú night, but some patients are able to tolerate this medication further to try nor anything that will better alleviate your pain. Because this is a chronic condition you need to understand that there is a major issue about taking these Patients should be cautioned that muscle relaxants can types of drugs long term i.e. longer than 6 months. Please cause drowsiness and they should not operate a motor note that even strong analgesics may not always alleviate vehicle when taking this type of medication. There are other muscle relaxants to try if these do not work. Topical Creams
Presently, no single medication alleviates all of a NSAIDs (Anti-inflammatory Medications)
Fibromyalgia patient's pain and accompanying symptoms. This makes it - doubly important for physicians to keep Axsain cream (Capsaicin 0.075%) A topical analgesic that
updated regarding results of ongoing FMS research and can be obtained either through a Pain Clinic or by current changes In recommended fibromyalgia treatments. prescription. Axsain is effective for relief of pain of these anti-inflammatories have not proven arthritis in specific areas and has been shown to help FMS Before prescribing a medicine for a patient it is the effective in reducing FMS pain, probably because there is patients in a similar form in the US. It is suggested that it classically little inflammation involved in the condition. responsibility of the attending physician to elicit a be used three to four times per day for maximum comprehensive medical history. Because different Amitriptyline and Xanax's effectiveness is effectiveness. Axsain can be extremely irritating to the eye symptoms accompany each FMS patent, the doctor - needs increased when used in combination with Ibuprofen (2400 so hands should be washed well after application. mg per day). If the patient has arthritis, to know what problems are specific to each individual. For tendonitis or any other inflammatory rheumatic condition, Balmosa cream is composed of methyl salicylate,
non-restful sleep is almost always a major concern for Fibromyalgia sufferers. Small doses, usually these medications would be helpful in alleviating the pain. camphor and menthol, and has helped reduce pain in some 10 mg, of an antidepressant seems to help many FMS It should be noted that most of these medications can cause stomach upset and some patients have developed Another relatively new but excellent topical for muscle It is important for the physician to encourage the patient to bleeding ulcers. Exceptions would likely be the Celebrex spasms, cramps etc is Biofreeze - available in some shops,
keep a detailed written journal of medicines, possibly as this has a slightly different preparation (Cox-2 but can be obtained through FMSNI or on the internet. timing and side effects. This record will be beneficial to inhibitors). However, caution should be applied with all. the patient as well as the doctor when writing a Pharmacists may recommend other topical creams with similar properties. There are many on the market that may Analgesics
It takes time and communication between the health care When first diagnosed most patients will usually be offered professional -and patient to determine the correct FMS an SSRI (see above) and a mild painkiller e.g. Paracetamol proper dosages and appropriate time to take or a paracetamol/codeine mix where the codeine component is quite low. However, if you've had reason to take a lot of painkillers in the past or your pain is pretty FMSNI takes no responsibility for any adverse reactions
Fibromyalgia Support N. Ireland
entrenched, you will most likely find that these aren't found by taking any of the products listed in this brochure.
really effective. If so, it's worth discussing with your doctor the option on at least a trial of something stronger. If you show understanding of both your own condition and ALWAYS DISCUSS MEDICATIONS
SUPPORTLINE: 08709 909220
the difficulties of taking chronic pain relief, your GP TAKEN WITH YOUR DOCTOR
should hopefully be willing to work with you to help you obtain a better solution. Be aware though that bit by bit TAKE THEIR ADVICE!
you may progress up the 'analgesic ladder' and obviously may reach a point where there really is neither anything Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú

Source: http://www.fmsni.org.uk/files/FMMedsBrochure.pdf