Methods of treating fibromyalgia syndrome, chronic fatigue syndrome and pain

Abstract

The present invention provides a method of treating fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS), chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), and pain in an animal subject. The method generally involves administering a therapeutically effective amount of a dual serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor compound or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein said dual serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor compound is characterized by a non-tricyclic structure and an equal or greater inhibition of norepinephrine reuptake than serotonin reuptake. In particular, the use of milnacipran to treat FMS, CFS, and pain is disclosed.

1 - 25 . (canceled)  
     
     
         26 . A method of treating fibromyalgia syndrome in a patient in need thereof, the method comprising administering a daily dose of about 100 mg of milnacipran or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof to the patient.  
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the milnacipran is administered in divided doses.  
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein the milnacipran is administered as a 50 mg dose twice per day.  
     
     
         29 . A method of treating fibromyalgia syndrome in a patient in need thereof, the method comprising administering a daily dose of about 200 mg of milnacipran or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof to the patient.  
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the milnacipran is administered in divided doses.  
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein the milnacipran is administered as a 50 mg dose four times per day.  
     
     
         32 . The method of any one of claims  26 - 31 , comprising adjunctively administering a second active compound selected from the group consisting of antidepressants, analgesics, muscle relaxants, anorectics, stimulants, antiepileptic drugs, sedatives and hypnotics.  
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein the second active compound is pregabal in, pramipexole, I-DOPA, amphetamine, tizanidine, clonidine, tramadol, morphine, codeine, carbamazepine, sibutramine, amphetamine, valium or trazodone.