Does Pristiq help fibromyalgia pain? (+3 treatment options)
By
Ivan Kahwa
Author bio
Mr Ivan Kahwa is a chemist and phytopharmaceutical scientist with expertise in chemistry, pharmacology, phytochemistry, and Nanobiotechnology. He writes and reviews content on these topics.
Mr Ivan Kahwa’s Highlights:
Guest Researcher at the University of Leipzig, Senior Research Fellow/Scientist, and Lecturer at the Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, Mbarara University of Science and Technology.
Professional Experience:
Mr Ivan joined PHARMBIOTRAC as a research fellow/scientist during his master of science tenure. He contributed to the development of most of the phytopharmaceutical products in the project. Furthermore, he participated in carrying out the pharmacological activities of the developed products in laboratory animals such as mice and rats in order to develop proper doses hence leading to pre-clinical studies.
With the above relevant research experience, Ivan started to work with the University of Leipzig on collaborative projects with Mbarara University to develop the chemistry of Ugandan Medicinal plants and their pharmacological activities. This was coupled with several consultative positions by different German NGOs. Mr. Kahwa is also a supporting in the teaching and learning at the Departments of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Mbarara University of Science and Technology.
With the increase in antimicrobial resistance globally, Ivan retooled his thinking towards developing new naturally derived antibiotic regimens from Ugandan propolis with the assistance of nanotechnology to improve their delivery to microbial cells. Kahwa has also published over 28 articles in peer-reviewed journals and he is currently reviewing for many journals.
Education:
2023-2027: PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences (ongoing) with a focus on Pharmaceutical Microbiology and Nanobiology at Mbarara University of Science and Technology.
2022: 2Msc. in Pharmacognosy and Natural Medicine Science at Mbarara University of Science and Technology.
2018: Bachelor of Science (Chemistry) at Mbarara University of Science and Technology.
Publications:
▪ Iqbal, S., Jabeen, F., Kahwa, I., & Omara, T. 2023. Suberosin Alleviates Thiazolidinedione-Induced Cardiomyopathy in Diabetic Rats by Inhibiting Ferroptosis via Modulation of ACSL4-LPCAT3 and PI3K-AKT Signaling Pathways. Cardiovascular Toxicology. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12012-023-09804-7
▪ Gupta, A. K., Yadav, R., Sharma, S., Sawale, J., & Kahwa, I. 2023. Anti-ageing Activity and Antioxidant Activity of Methanol Extracts of Leaves and Flowers of Salvia officinalis and Rosmarinus officinalis. Journal of Young Pharmacists, 15(3), 448–455. https://doi.org/10.5530/jyp.2023.15.60
▪ Tolo, C.U., Kahwa, I., Nuwagira, U., Weisheit, A. and Ikiriza, H., 2023. Medicinal plants used in treatment of various diseases in the Rwenzori Region, Western Uganda. Ethnobotany Research and Applications, 25, pp.1-16.
https://ethnobotanyjournal.org/index.php/era/article/view/4683
▪ Kahwa, I., Ajayi, C.O., Yadav, R., Chauhan, N.S., Shah, K., Abdelgadir, A.A., Shegena, E.A., Daniel, S., Omara, T., Asiimwe, J.B. and Ikiriza, H., 2023. Pharmacognostic and phytochemical studies as an invaluable approach for correct identification of medicinal plants: The case of Artemisia vulgaris L. substituted for Artemisia annua L. in Western Uganda. TMR Integr Med, 7, p.e23004.
https://doi.org/10.53388/TMRIM202307004
▪ Nalimu, F., Oloro, J., Kahwa, I. and Ogwang, P.E., 2021. Review on the phytochemistry and toxicological profiles of Aloe vera and Aloe ferox. Future Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 7, pp.1-21.
https://doi.org/10.1186/s43094-021-00296-2
▪ Elamin, O.H.S., Ali, M.A., Elgezuli, I.A.A., Bashir, M.A. and Kahwa, I., 2021. Diagnosis of pre-and post-treatment of echinococcus granulosus with counter current immune electrophoresis and bacterial co-agglutination. Journal of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, 11(02), pp.88-94.
https://doi.org/10.5799/jmid.951600
Published book Chapter
▪ Kahwa, I., Ayesiga, I., Nakalema, S., Alinaiswe, R., Mbabazi, R. and Iqbal, S., 2023. Natural products in the management of onchocerciasis. In Natural Products in Vector-Borne Disease Management (pp. 63-80). Academic Press. Book Chapter.
https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-323-91942-5.00012-4
Submitted manuscripts Under Review:
▪ Comparison of the Wound Healing Activity of the Leaf and Leaf Ash Extracts of Vernonia amygdalina in Rats. Journal name: Clinical Phytoscience
▪ Ethnobotanical Survey of Medicinal plants used in the management of cancer in Uganda. Journal name: Journal of Herbal Medicine
▪ Ethnobotanical survey and phytochemical screening of medicinal plants used in treatment of epilepsy by PROMETRA-Uganda Traditional Health Practitioners in Mpigi District, Uganda. Journal name: Journal of Ethnopharmacology
Submitted book chapters under review
1.Book title: Algae as a Natural Solution for Water-Food-Energy Nexus, Section 4: Microalgae and cyanobacteria for food applications, Chapter 4.6: Safety, toxicological and allergenic aspects of using algae for food. Authors: Christine Kyarimpa, Tom Omute, Caroline K. Nakiguli, Alice V. Khanakwa4, Christopher Angiro, Ivan Kahwa, Fortunate Ahumuza, Timothy Omara*. Publisher: Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 152 Beach Road, #21-01/04 Gateway East, Singapore 189721, Singapore.
2.Book title: Nutraceuticals Inspiring the Contemporary Therapy for Lifestyle Diseases. Chapter: Nutraceutical applications of Seaweeds and their Phytocompounds in Nutrition and Treatment of Diseases. Authors: Ivan Kahwa, Timothy Omara , Innocent Ayesiga , Gael Noel Neh Neba Ambe , Zehbanaz Javidbhai Panwala , Rachel Mbabazi , Shabnoor Iqbal , Christine Kyarimpa , Christine Betty Nagawa , Kamal Shah ,Nagendra Singh Chauhan* Publisher: CRC Press
You can view my works on the following professional sites:
Research Gate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Ivan-Kahwa
Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=tOwrvqoAAAAJ&hl=en
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6440-3437
Linkedin: https://de.linkedin.com/in/ivan-kahwa-865450159
In this article, we will discuss whether Pristiq is effective for fibromyalgia pain or not. We will look at the efficacy of Pristiq in treating fibromyalgia pain. Furthermore, we will look at the common medications and treatment strategies for fibromyalgia pain in patients.
Does Pristiq help fibromyalgia pain?
Pristiq may help with bipolar disorder. However, Prisiq is not the choice of drug for treating fibromyalgia pain but Pristiq may help treat it to an extent.
Pristiq belongs to the serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI) drug class. Pristiq increases the levels of serotonin and norepinephrine in the brain by blocking the reuptake of these neurotransmitters. Pristiq is FDA-approved for the treatment of major depressive disorder (1).
Fibromyalgia is a syndrome that does not present with a proper underlying condition. It is a long-term chronic pain that results in disruption in sleep and thinking along with altered mood. It can also result in a poor quality of life (2,3).
There is no cure for fibromyalgia, however, symptomatic pharmacological interventions for pain management, behavioural therapies, and psychoeducation may help in reducing the severity of this condition (3).
What does research suggest?
Two randomized placebo-control trials of Pristiq (desvenlafaxine) were conducted with fibromyalgia syndrome. In the first study, male and female patients were given Pristiq (50, 100, 200, 400 mg/day) or a placebo for 27 weeks (4).
In another study, the female patients were treated with a placebo, desvenlafaxine (200mg/day), or pregabalin (450mg/day) after the placebo run-in. Desvenlafaxine was superior to placebo in treating depressive symptoms such as sleep problems and fatigue in patients with fibromyalgia (3,4).
The first study was stopped at interim analysis for failure to meet the desired efficacy of desvenlafaxine for fibromyalgia. The second study was also stopped for business purposes and the results obtained did not show efficacy for desvenlafaxine (4).
Based on the research studies to check if Pristiq shows efficacy in the treatment of fibromyalgia, no clear answers were found. However, its parent compound venlafaxine showed evidence of efficacy in a few patients (4).
What are the effective pharmacological treatments for fibromyalgia?
Some effective pharmacological treatments for fibromyalgia include (3):
Gabapentinioids- These are FDA-approved for the treatment of fibromyalgia. The common drugs of this class used for fibromyalgia are (3):
- Pregabalin (FDA-approved)
- Gabapentin (Off-label)
Cannabinoids– The endocannabinoid system is involved in many physiological functions. It has been reported that the deficiency in endocannabinoid signalling is linked with fibromyalgia pain. However, a synthetic cannabinoid, Nabilone, showed efficacy over a placebo in fibromyalgia pain (3).
Opioids- These medications have been used in 10-60% of patients for the treatment of fibromyalgia pain. Common opioids prescribed are (3):
- Hydrocodone plus acetaminophen
- Oxycodone plus acetaminophen
- Tramadol
- Naloxone
Other SNRIs- The medications of this class have been promising in treating sleep problems, pain, and fatigue in patients with depression and comorbid fibromyalgia pain. The following drugs have shown well-tolerability and safety in fibromyalgia patients (3):
- Duloxetine
- Milnacipran
Never start any medication without consulting with your healthcare prescriber. If you feel any discomfort, consult your doctor and then follow the prescription that they provide.
What are the alternative therapies for fibromyalgia?
Some alternative therapies that have shown promising results in treating fibromyalgia include (3):
- Acupuncture- It is considered a safe alternate therapy for fibromyalgia patients. Acupuncture has shown low to moderate level improvement in pain management in patients with fibromyalgia.
- Electric stimulation- Anxiety, depression, and sleep disturbances are also accompanied by fibromyalgia pain. Electric nerve stimulation in combination with acupuncture has been beneficial in fibromyalgia patients with these conditions.
- Exercise and massage- Exercise has shown promising results in improving the quality of life in fibromyalgia patients. Massage and exercise therapy in these patients has shown an improvement in relieving stress and alleviating pain.
What to do if Pristiq does not improve fibromyalgia?
If your doctor has prescribed Pristiq for depression with comorbid fibromyalgia and it is not showing any improvements in your health outcome, then consult your doctor. Your doctor must assess your condition, signs, and symptoms.
Based on your symptoms and side effects, your doctor might shift you to another antidepressant from the same drug class i.e. venlafaxine or duloxetine which have shown promising results in fibromyalgia. They may also prescribe other FDA-approved medications that may improve your symptoms.
Your doctor may also suggest you take behavioural therapies to accompany pharmacotherapy which may show improved results and alleviate your symptoms associated with depression along with fibromyalgia.
In conclusion, I would like to add that fibromyalgia treatment is multidisciplinary. It is treated in combination with pharmacotherapy, behavioural therapy, psychoeducation, exercise, and pain management.
However, always follow your doctor’s prescription. You must consult your doctor before starting, switching, or stopping any medication to avoid any potentially harmful events.
Was this helpful?
References
1.-
Naseeruddin R, Rosani A, Marwaha R. Desvenlafaxine. [Updated 2023 Jul 10]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK534829/
2.-
Welsch P, Üçeyler N, Klose P, Walitt B, Häuser W. Serotonin and noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) for fibromyalgia. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2018, Issue 2. Art. No.: CD010292. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD010292.pub2. https://www.cochrane.org/CD010292/SYMPT_serotonin-and-noradrenaline-reuptake-inhibitors-fibromyalgia
3.-
Maffei ME. Fibromyalgia: Recent Advances in Diagnosis, Classification, Pharmacotherapy and Alternative Remedies. International Journal of Molecular Sciences [Internet]. 2020 Oct 23;21(21):7877. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ijms21217877
4.-
Allen R, Sharma U, Barlas S. Clinical Experience With Desvenlafaxine in Treatment of Patients With Fibromyalgia Syndrome. Clin Pharmacol Drug Dev. 2017 May;6(3):224-233. doi: 10.1002/cpdd.271. Epub 2017 Feb 17. PMID: 27139158. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27139158/
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