If you are experiencing discomforts such as tiredness, pains, disturbed sleep cycles and mental conditions such as depression, it may be due to a condition called fibromyalgia. This condition shows up as a chronic ailment; it may occur when signals associated with pains are amplified. It is important to seek needful medical support in a timely manner. Treatment plans include administration of antidepressant drugs to stabilize brain chemicals as well as physical therapies such as massaging. In this milieu, how efficient are drugs such as duloxetine and pregabalin? It is essential to know the efficacy levels of these two drugs prior to starting your medication plan.
Fibromyalgia is likely to cause pain all over the body along with digestive problems, excessive spells of tiredness, and memory lapses. Studies show that there can be a host of other signs that most people may not know what to attribute them to. These signs occur when your brain works in an abnormal manner to process pains and its signals. Pains you experience may change constantly. It can change from being a sharp pain to a throbbing one; at times, you find it diffusing as well as stabbing.
Reasons behind fibromyalgia remain largely unknown; the number of people living with this condition in the US has already crossed the 3 million mark. In general, it is considered as a disorder related to your nerve cells which tend to get over-reactive. Some studies indicate that fibromyalgia as an outcome of stressful living. This condition is more likely to affect middle-aged women as well as those living with irritable bowel syndrome. Unfortunately there is no complete cure to this condition, and most treatments focus only on minimizing the symptoms.
Duloxetine and its use in treating fibromyalgia
Duloxetine is widely administered for treating mental conditions such as phobias, anxieties and depression. This medication regulates sleep, boosts energies and also reduces undesired thoughts or hallucinations. It is categorized under serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRI) meds. The key task of this drug is to achieve a fine balance of neuro transmitting chemicals such as serotonin and norepinephrine. Of these chemicals, serotonin is known to boost happiness and wellbeing. So, an adequate presence of this substance is likely to stop depressive spells, fears / phobias and mood shifts.
In essence, duloxetine elevates your moods and restores appetite levels. You need to remember that this is not an over the counter (OTC) medication. You are advised to take it as per the instructions of your physician. You can take this drug either before or after food. But, if you are already living with spells of nausea, it is safe to take it with food. No two people with similar signs of fibromyalgia may have the same condition. Hence, never share drugs with a friend or a family member who has same symptoms. Your medication plan and strength of doses is influenced by your gender, body weight and age, incidence of prior medical ailments as well as severity of fibromyalgia.
What is pregabalin and how it can help treat fibromyalgia?
Pregabalin is a prescription drug taken for neuropathy, fibromyalgia, etc. This med is also used for managing partial focal seizures. This drug may cause extreme spells of drowsiness; hence, it is unsafe to pursue adventurous sporting activities. It is equally unsafe to work on heavy machinery. Among those consuming diabetic meds, it is likely to cause a sudden increase in weight or swelling of feet. It is not safe to combine diabetic meds with pregabalin as it can cause cardiac failure or a heart arrest.
Pregabalin is grouped under a class of medications known as anticonvulsant drugs. It is available in multiple versions namely, as capsules, pills, extended release variants as well as syrup i.e., in a suspended form. It is commonly taken by those living with acute spells of muscular discomforts, fits or epileptic seizures. The main chemicals of pregabalin help calm your nerves. In a few instances, this med has triggered acute breathing conditions such as shallow respiratory cycles, gasping or panting and a few cardiac conditions.
Comparison of duloxetine and pregabalin
These two meds belong to different genres; duloxetine is an SNRI drug while pregabalin is anticonvulsant med. But, both these meds are used for treating fibromyalgia. Their dosage strengths also vary widely. Pregabalin is administered in doses of 50 milligrams (mg) thrice each day. In case of an acute spell of pain, dosages are increased to 100 mg per dose for three times per day. Duloxetine is administered in dosage strength of 60 mg per day. However, the initial doses are maintained at 30 mg per day; if your system responds well and no adverse side effects are showing up, the dosage strength is gradually raised to 60 mg each day.
Moreover, duloxetine must not be taken along with monoamine oxidase inhibiting (MAO inhibitors) like selegiline, phenelzine or isocarboxazid. Your treating doctor may advise to stop the intake of duloxetine before starting to take MAO inhibiting meds. Stay aware that nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen as well as blood thinners like warfarin may cause bruising and internal bleeding. Studies show that the key chemicals of duloxetine may get discharged into breastmilk. Owing to this, women who are breastfeeding are never advised to take duloxetine. For more details about either of these drugs, you are advised to consult with your treating physician.
While taking pregabalin, never mix it with alcohol; in general, stay away from drugs that cause sedative effects while taking this anticonvulsant med. A few diabetic meds – when taken with pregabalin – may trigger liquid retention as well as gain of body weight. So, it is a safe practice to talk to your caregiving team prior to starting either of these drugs. Not much substantive data are available to indicate how safe pregabalin is for pregnant women. Also, it is unclear if this med is safe for breastfeeding women.
In sum, duloxetine is administered to treat mental problems like fears, depression and anxieties. Its key ingredients regulate sleep, help enhance your energy levels and also reduce hallucinations. Duloxetine is also used for treating fibromyalgia. On the other hand, pregabalin is an anticonvulsant drug taken to manage conditions like fibromyalgia, neuropathy, seizures or fits. The dosages of these drugs are to be taken under the guidance and supervision of a qualified caregiver.
Education: Master’s in Clinical Nutrition from Tufts University. Experience: 6 years of experience as a registered dietitian and freelance writer, creating content on nutritional science and weight management for various health websites.
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