- With Mayo Clinic rheumatologist
April Chang-Miller, M.D.
read biographyclose windowBiography of
April Chang-Miller, M.D.
April Chang-Miller, M.D.
Dr. April Chang-Miller is board certified in internal medicine and rheumatology and is a consultant in the Division of Rheumatology and Internal Medicine at Mayo Clinic in Arizona.
Dr. Chang-Miller's primary field is rheumatology with special interests in inflammatory joint diseases called seronegative spondyloarthropathies such as ankylosing spondylitis and psoriatic arthritis. She also cares for patients with rheumatoid arthritis and polymyalgia rheumatica.
The New York City native is a graduate of the Yale University School of Medicine and had been with Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., between 1991 and 2002 when she relocated to Mayo Clinic, Arizona. She is a fellow in the American College of Rheumatology and has been on the board of directors of the Arthritis Foundation North Central Chapter.
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Question
Neurontin: A new treatment for fibromyalgia?
Is gabapentin (Neurontin) an effective fibromyalgia treatment?
Answer
from April Chang-Miller, M.D.
Gabapentin (Neurontin), an anti-seizure medication, may be an effective fibromyalgia treatment.
In a 12-week study, published in April 2007, researchers looked at the potential treatment benefits of gabapentin in a group of 150 people with fibromyalgia. Participants who were treated with gabapentin reported less pain and fatigue and improved sleep compared with participants who received a placebo. The most common side effects of the medication are dizziness and drowsiness.
It is important to note that gabapentin has not been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of fibromyalgia. However, some doctors may prescribe it off-label for such use.
In June 2007, the FDA did approve pregabalin (Lyrica) — an anti-seizure medication that is structurally related to gabapentin — for fibromyalgia treatment. A study published in April 2005 suggested that pregabalin is more effective than is a placebo in reducing pain and fatigue and improving sleep in people with fibromyalgia. The most common side effects of pregabalin are dizziness and drowsiness.
If you have fibromyalgia and have questions about whether gabapentin or pregabalin may be an appropriate treatment for you, consult your doctor.
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