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Pharmacopsychiatry 2014; 47(02): 67-72
DOI: 10.1055/s-0033-1363659
Original Paper
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Agomelatine for the Treatment of Patients with Fibromyalgia and Depressive Symptomatology: An Uncontrolled, 12-Week, Pilot Study

E. P. Calandre
1   Instituto de Neurociencias, Universidad de Granada, Granada, Spain
,
M. Slim
1   Instituto de Neurociencias, Universidad de Granada, Granada, Spain
,
J. M. Garcia-Leiva
1   Instituto de Neurociencias, Universidad de Granada, Granada, Spain
,
C. M. Rodriguez-Lopez
1   Instituto de Neurociencias, Universidad de Granada, Granada, Spain
,
P. Torres
1   Instituto de Neurociencias, Universidad de Granada, Granada, Spain
,
F. Rico-Villademoros
1   Instituto de Neurociencias, Universidad de Granada, Granada, Spain
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

received 26 September 2013
revised 02 December 2013

accepted 02 December 2013

Publication Date:
18 February 2014 (online)

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Abstract

Introduction:

Agomelatine, a melatonin agonist and selective 5-HT2C antagonist, is a novel antidepressant with sleep-enhancing properties. The purpose of this study was to assess the efficacy and tolerability of agomelatine among patients with fibromyalgia and depression.

Methods:

23 patients with fibromyalgia and depressive symptomatology received 25–50 mg of agomelatine daily for 12 weeks. The primary outcome measure was the change of the Beck depression inventory score. Secondary outcome measures included the hospital anxiety and depression scale, Pittsburgh sleep quality index, Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire, short-form health survey, brief pain inventory and patient’s global impression scale.

Results:

Agomelatine significantly improved depression, global fibromyalgia severity and pain intensity but effect sizes were small. No improvement was seen in sleep quality. Patients categorized as responders to treatment had milder disease severity than non-responders. Agomelatine therapy was well tolerated and patients only reported mild and transient side effects.

Discussion:

Agomelatine slightly improved depressive and fibromyalgia symptomatology but did not improve sleep quality. Our data do not support agomelatine as a first-line treatment option for the treatment of fibromyalgia and depression.

Key words

fibromyalgia - depression - agomelatine - sleep quality
 

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