[Fluoxetin combined with cyclobenzaprine in the treatment of fibromyalgia]

Author(s): Cantini F, Bellandi F, Niccoli L, Di Munno O

Affiliation(s): II U.O. di Medicina Generale, USL n.9, Prato, Presidio Ospedaliero.

Publication date & source: 1994-03, Minerva Med., 85(3):97-100.

Publication type: Clinical Trial; Randomized Controlled Trial

The aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of fluoxetin associated with cyclobenzaprine vs cyclobenzaprine in the treatment of fibromyalgia. Twenty-one females with fibromyalgia were randomly assigned to 2 groups: group A (11 patients) was treated over 12 weeks with fluoxetin (20 mg/die) and cyclobenzaprine (10 mg/die), group B with cyclobenzaprine (10 mg/die). Basally and after 12 weeks patient self-assessment of pain, number of painful tender points, tender points index and morning stiffness were evaluated. The study has shown a significant improvement of the examined parameters in both treatment groups; however the comparison between the two groups showed a greater effectiveness, statistically significant, of the treatment with Fluoxetin associated with cyclobenzaprine.