Tulsa World: Possible fibromyalgia treatment needs more research

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Possible fibromyalgia treatment needs more research

By PETER GOTT, M.D. Newspaper Enterprise Association
Published: 11/10/2009 2:20 AM
Last Modified: 11/10/2009 8:15 AM

Dear Dr. Gott: The recent article on the difficulty in treating fibromyalgia (FM) reinforces the urgency in making available sibutramine hydrochloride monohydrate (Meridia) to FM sufferers. Some doctors have found it to be successful in treating this widespread disorder. An 83 percent success rate was noted in an article in the September 2002 issue of Arthritis and Rheumatism journal. The article concluded that "controlled, prospective, long-term studies are needed to further evaluate the clinical utility of sibutramine in the treatment of fibromyalgia." FM sufferers who read your column may want to consult their doctors about this medication.

Dear Reader: Meridia is approved and marketed for weight loss. According to my pharmacy consultant, even when it's prescribed for weight loss, most insurance companies will not recognize the drug. If this medication were prescribed by a physician for off-label use, such as the treatment of fibromyalgia, it would most definitely not be covered by insurance.

Meridia has some serious side effects including back, chest, neck, abdominal, joint and muscle pain; hypertension; insomnia; depression; and more. It is a Schedule IV controlled substance (others include Xanax, Valium and Ambien) and carries the risk of abuse or dependence.

Because the study was so small and conducted for only one year, the authors were correct in concluding that while the results were impressive, a larger and longer study needs to be conducted before Meridia can be considered a viable treatment option for fibromyalgia. Long-term effects must be evaluated, since Meridia's use for weight loss has not been studied for longer than one year.

I cannot recommend the medication until further studies have been completed.

Write Dr. Gott c/o United Media, 200 Madison Ave. 4th floor, New York, NY 10016. By PETER GOTT, M.D. Newspaper Enterprise Association

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Elusive, the burbs (11/10/2009 3:21:41 AM)

Good article about something that affects so many women. I would want further studies with these kinds of side effects.

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