Research supported by the National Institutes of Health’s (NIH), National Institute of Arthritis and Musculskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS) shows that the anticonvulsant medication gabapentin can be an effective treatment for fibromyalgia as reported in an article published by Arthritis & Rheumatism, April 2007.

The double-blind study of 150 (15 men, 135 women) with fibromyalgia were given gabapentin or a placebo. After 12 weeks those receiving gabapentin reported less pain, less fatigue, and better sleep. Most subjects well tolerated the drug and those that did report a side effect most often reported dizziness or sedation.

Gabapentin normally has little effect on acute pain. However, it has been effective on pain related to inflammation or nerve injury, which is reportedly the reason fibromyalgia patients experience pain that would not cause pain in other people.

NOTE: Gabapentin is generic Neurontin, which reports that 28% of the users suffer dizziness, increased peripheral edema (reported to be permanent in some cases), and increased instance of dry mouth.

Class Action Lawsuit: There is a class action lawsuit against Neurontin.