Abstract
Although the pathophysiology of fibromyalgia is unknown, antidepressants have proved to be successful in alleviating symptoms of fibromyalgia. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of venlafaxine in the treatment of pain in patients with fibromyalgia and the depressive and anxiety symptoms commonly seen in these patients. Twenty-one patients with fibromyalgia according to the criteria proposed by the American College of Rheumatology were included in the study. Patients were assessed for pain, depression and anxiety before and after treatment with a fixed dose of venlafaxine (75 mg/d). Second and third evaluations were carried out 5 and 10 weeks after the beginning of the therapy. There was a significant improvement in the mean intensity of pain and in depression and anxiety scores from baseline to week 5 and 10. The improvement in pain, depression and anxiety scores seemed to be independent of each other. Venlafaxine a potent inhibitor of both noradrenaline and serotonin reuptake, might be effective for both pain and comorbid depressive and anxiety symptoms independently in patients with fibromyalgia.