Tramadol / paracetamol combination described to be effective in treating fibromyalgia pain

A multi-centre, randomised, double-blinded, placebo-controlled study has recently assessed the safety and efficacy of a combination analgesic tablet for the treatment of fibromyalgia pain.A total of 313 subjects (294 women [94%], mean [± SD] age, 50 ± 10 years) completed at least one year of investigation after randomisation, with 156 receiving active treatment with a 37.5 mg tramadol and 325 mg paracetamol combination and 157 receiving placebo. The researchers investigated the cumulative time to discontinuation of treatment, pain scores, pain relief, total tender points, myalgia, health status, and Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire scores.Tramadol/paracetamol treated subjects had significantly less pain at the end of the study, as assessed by a visual analog scale (53 ± 32 vs. 65 ± 29, pDiscontinuation of treatment for any reason was less common in those treated with tramadol/paracetamol compared with placebo (48% vs. 62%, p=0.004). No statistically significant differences between the subject groups occurred regarding discontinuation of treatment due to adverse events (p=0.09). The mean dose of self-administered was tramadol/paracetamol was 4.0 ± 1.8 tablets per day.The authors conclude that a tramadol/paracetamol combination tablet was effective for the treatment of fibromyalgia pain without any serious adverse effects....