RECENT DRUGS FOR THE MANAGEMENT AND TREATMENT OF FIBROMYALGIA

Fibromyalgia is a disorder, which is characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain accompanied by fatigue, memory, mood, and sleep issues. Scientists believe that this condition may be due to injury, emotional distress, or viruses that change the way the brain perceives pain, but the exact cause is unclear. Generally, fibromyalgia is treated with antidepressants, pain relievers, and Anti-seizure drugs. There is not much specific treatment available for the treatment and management of fibromyalgia. Duloxetine hydrochloride (Cymbalta), milnacipran hydrochloride (Savella) and pregabalin (Lyrica) are the only drugs which have been officially approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for the management / treatment of fibromyalgia. Milnacipran hydrochloride is the first drug introduced primarily for treating fibromyalgia. Some drugs are also in the pipeline for the treatment and management of fibromyalgia, for example, Tuscaloosa is developing IMC-1, Theravance is developing TD-9855, Astella is developing ASP8062 and ASP0819. Researchers are also looking to explore new therapeutic targets with respect to Substance P and other neurotransmitters, which are implicated in the pathogenesis of fibromyalgia. It would be interesting to note the outcomes related to the development of new drugs for the treatment and management of fibromyalgia. Keywords: Fibromyalgia, Duloxetine, Milnacipran, Pregabalin, Pipeline drugs.