Efficacy and Safety of Duloxetine in the Treatment of Fibromyalgia: A Systematic Review

Background: Fibromyalgia (FM) is a pain syndrome with manifestations of chronic musculoskeletal pain of non-articular were spread widely without being discovered abnormalities in the musculoskeletal system. In addition to widespread pain, patients with FM often experience other troublesome symptoms, such as fatigue, sleep disorders, and cognitive disorders; other specific pain conditions such as chronic headache. Frequently used therapies for treating FM are duloxetine, milnacipran, and pregabalin. Duloxetine is an antidepressant drug that belongs to the SNRI (serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors) class of drugs. The analgesic effect of duloxetine is believed to be the result of increased serotonin (5-HT) and noradrenaline (NA) activity in the central nervous system (CNS), by increasing the inhibition of pain pathways in the CNS and spinal cord.
Methods: We conducted a system-based, computer-based literature search on 8 January 2020. We looked for literature relating to the effectiveness of duloxetine on pain management on FM, using keywords, fibromyalgia, pain, painful, management, therapy, treatment, duloxetine and SNRI.
Results: Of the 5 papers that can be used in this review article, the sample population was 732 with FM and was treated with duloxetine. All studies show duloxetine can reduce pain scores and have a side effect that is mostly nausea and headache.
Conclusion: Duloxetine can be used to reduce the pain suffered by FM patients and should also be prepared for other treatments to deal with the effects of arising.

Keywords: Pain, Fibromyalgia, Duloxetine, effects.