Antidepressants for fibromyalgia

Antidepressants are often used – with success – to counter fibromyalgia. But a small study published in Clinical Practice & Epidemiology in Mental Health suggests that they may not be a long-term effective treatment.

A total of 23 women with fibromyalgia were followed-up for one year. Some of the women took antidepressants and others didn’t. At the end of the year, analysis of questionnaires found that those who took antidepressants had a worse quality of life, had more symptoms of bipolar disorder and had more severe depression.

The study is too small to draw any firm conclusions but raises the point that there is not enough research in the area.

People taking antidepressants should not stop without talking to their GP.