Ambroxol for fibromyalgia: one group pretest-posttest open-label pilot study.

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Fibromyalgia is proposed as a sympathetically maintained neuropathic pain syndrome.
• Sodium channels in dorsal root ganglia are implicated in fibromyalgia pain transmission.
• Ambroxol, an airway medication, is a potent sodium channel blocker with anti-neuropathic pain properties.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the add-on effect of ambroxol in fibromyalgia treatment.
• To assess ambroxol's impact on fibromyalgia pain and symptoms.

Main Methods:

• A pilot study involving 25 fibromyalgia patients.
• Ambroxol administered at 30 mg PO three times daily for one month.
• Patients completed the Revised Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ-R) and Widespread Pain Index (WPI) at baseline and study end.

Main Results:

• FIQ-R scores decreased significantly from 62 ± 15 to 51 ± 19 (p=0.013).
• Pain visual analogue scale scores reduced from 77 ± 14 to 56 ± 30 (p=0.018).
• WPI scores diminished from 14.6 ± 3.1 to 10.4 ± 5.3 (p=0.001).
• Minor side effects were reported; the drug was well-tolerated.

Conclusions:

• Ambroxol add-on therapy was associated with decreased fibromyalgia pain and improved symptoms.
• The study's open nature limits placebo effect assessment.
• Controlled, dose-escalating studies are warranted to confirm efficacy and safety.