Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Medication – "A Boon for Chronic Fatigue Patients"

Medication or pharmacological therapy is directed toward the relief of specific symptoms experienced by the individual patient. Patients with chronic fatigue syndrome are usually sensitive to drugs, especially those that affect the central nervous system. Therefore the usual treatment strategy is to begin with very low doses and to increase the dosage gradually as necessary.

Tricyclic Agents

Low-dose tricyclic agents are sometimes prescribed for chronic fatigue syndrome patients to improve sleep and to relieve mild, generalized pain. Some examples of trycyclic agents are doxepin, amitriptyline, desipramine and nortriptyline. Some adverse reactions are dry mouth, drowsiness, weight gain and an elevated heart rate.

Anti-depressants

Anti-depressants have been used to treat depression in chronic fatigue syndrome patients. Examples of anti-depressants used to treat chronic fatigue syndrome include serotonin reuptake inhibitors such as fluoxetine, sertraline, paroxetine, venlafaxine, trazodone and bupropion. A number of mild adverse reactions may be experienced, varying with the specific drug used.

Anxiolytic Agents

Anxiolytic agents are used to treat panic disorder in chronic fatigue syndrome patients. Examples of anxiolytic agents include alprazolam, clonazepam and lorazepam. Some common adverse reactions are sedation, amnesia and withdrawal symptoms such as insomnia, abdominal and muscle cramps, vomiting, sweating, tremors and convulsions.

Non-Steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs

These drugs may be used to relieve pain and fever in chronic fatigue syndrome patients. Some examples are naproxen, ibuprofen and piroxicam. These medications are usually safe when used as directed but can cause a variety of adverse effects such as kidney damage, gastrointestinal bleeding, abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting.

Anti-allergy Therapy

Some chronic fatigue syndrome patients have a history of allergy, and these symptoms may flare periodically. Non-sedating antihistamines may be helpful as anti-allergy therapy for chronic fatigue syndrome patients. Some examples are astemizole and loratadine. Some common adverse reactions are drowsiness, fatigue and headache.

Anti-hypotensive Therapy

Fludrocortisone is sometimes prescribed for chronic fatigue syndrome patients who have had a positive tilt table test. It is currently being tested in controlled studies for its efficiency in the treatment of chronic fatigue syndrome patients.

Anti-hypertensive Therapy

Beta-blockers such as atenolol are also prescribed for patients with a positive tilt table test. Water intake with increased salt content is also recommended for these patients. Adverse reaction to atenolol is low blood pressure.

With the advent of technology, new drugs are being formulated to treat patients with chronic fatigue syndrome. These drugs include ampligen and dehydroepiandrosterone.

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