David Baxter PhD
Late Founder
Fibromyalgia treatment: Does gabapentin relieve symptoms?
by Ann Vincent, M.D., Mayo Clinic
July 21, 2009
Is gabapentin (Neurontin, Gabarone) an effective fibromyalgia treatment?
Only one high-quality clinical trial has looked at gabapentin (Neurontin, Gabarone) as a fibromyalgia treatment. In that study, the drug reduced participants' reported pain, fatigue and sleep disruption more effectively than did a placebo.
Gabapentin has not been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of fibromyalgia, although some doctors may prescribe it off-label for such use. The FDA has, however, approved a similar drug ? pregabalin (Lyrica) ? for fibromyalgia treatment.
Gabapentin and pregabalin were originally approved to treat certain types of epilepsy and nerve pain. Both drugs work by limiting the release of pain-communicating chemicals by nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord.
Because gabapentin is available in generic form, it may be less expensive than pregabalin. But you have to take gabapentin three or four times a day, which makes it less convenient than pregabalin, taken in two daily doses. The most common side effects of both drugs are dizziness and drowsiness.
References
by Ann Vincent, M.D., Mayo Clinic
July 21, 2009
Is gabapentin (Neurontin, Gabarone) an effective fibromyalgia treatment?
Only one high-quality clinical trial has looked at gabapentin (Neurontin, Gabarone) as a fibromyalgia treatment. In that study, the drug reduced participants' reported pain, fatigue and sleep disruption more effectively than did a placebo.
Gabapentin has not been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of fibromyalgia, although some doctors may prescribe it off-label for such use. The FDA has, however, approved a similar drug ? pregabalin (Lyrica) ? for fibromyalgia treatment.
Gabapentin and pregabalin were originally approved to treat certain types of epilepsy and nerve pain. Both drugs work by limiting the release of pain-communicating chemicals by nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord.
Because gabapentin is available in generic form, it may be less expensive than pregabalin. But you have to take gabapentin three or four times a day, which makes it less convenient than pregabalin, taken in two daily doses. The most common side effects of both drugs are dizziness and drowsiness.
References
- Arnold LM, et al. Gabapentin in the treatment of fibromyalgia: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter trial. Arthritis and Rheumatism. 2007;56:1336.
- Hauser W, et al. Treatment of fibromyalgia syndrome with gabapentin and pregabalin ? A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Pain. In Press, June 30, 2009.
- Gabapentin (prescribing information). New York, New York: Pfizer Inc; 2009. http://www.pfizer.com/files/products/uspi_neurontin.pdf
- Pregabalin (prescribing information). New York, New York: Pfizer Inc; 2009. http://www.pfizer.com/files/products/uspi_lyrica.pdf .
- Kroenke K, et al. Pharmacotherapy of chronic pain: A synthesis of recommendations from systematic reviews. General Hospital Psychiatry. 2009;31:206.
