NEWS: Symptom Improvements with Parkinsons Drug found in Fibromyalgia Trial

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Symptom Improvements with Parkinsons Drug found in Fibromyalgia Trial

Monday October 18, 4:58 pm ET

Study on Pramipexole Also Reports Significant Weight Loss

SAN ANTONIO, Oct. 18 /PRNewswire/ -- The dopamine agonist pramipexole,

(Mirapex ®, Boehringer-Ingelheim) currently indicated by the FDA for

treatment of Parkinson's disease, provides a high response rate of overall

fibromyalgia (FM) symptom improvements, as well as promoting significant

weight loss, according to data to be presented in a late breaking abstract

on Thursday, October 21, at 9:45 am, Ballroom A, at the American College of

Rheumatology Annual Scientific Meeting, the National Fibromyalgia

Association (NFA) announced today.

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The double-blind Randomized Placebo Controlled 14-week trial to treat

fibromyalgia with pramipexole, was conducted by Holman, MD, a

rheumatologist in private practice in Renton, Washington and a member of the

advisory board of the National Fibromyalgia Association.

Holman privately funded this research for people with fibromyalgia (FM) when

his own FM patients experienced pain reduction with the use of the drug.

Holman reports that 56 out of 60 patients completed the trial which set out

to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of dopamine agonist pramipexole in

patients with fibromyalgia. 42% of patients treated with pramipexole

achieved greater than or equal to 50% decreased pain compared to 14% of

patients taking placebo.

" This may be the highest response of overall improvement of fibromyalgia

symptoms of any single medication tested so far, " noted Holman.

Patients also reported substantial improvements in function and fatigue. The

most statistically significant side effect was weight loss. Whereas many

patients with fibromyalgia and other chronic illnesses often report weight

increase in part from use of medications, one third of the participants

taking pramipexole lost between 5 to 35 pounds during the 14-week period,

according to Holman.

" Dr. Holman's study suggests new options for research in the treatment of

fibromyalgia, " said Lynne Matallana, president and founder of the National

Fibromyalgia Association. " This will provide significant hope for patients

searching for ways to effectively manage the chronic pain of this severe

disorder. "

Currently, there are no medications approved for the treatment of

fibromyalgia, a complex chronic pain illness affecting 6 to 10 million

people that can lead to significant patient disability. Patients with

fibromyalgia suffer from a variety of symptoms ranging from stiffness,

muscle spasms and body wide pain, fatigue and severe sleep disturbances.

Holman, M.D., is assistant clinical professor of medicine at the

University of Washington in Seattle, and president-elect of the Northwest

Rheumatism Society.

The National Fibromyalgia Association (NFA) is a nonprofit [501 (c (3)]

organization whose mission is to develop and execute programs dedicated to

improving the quality of life for people with fibromyalgia. The NFA produces

educational materials, sponsors CME and patient conferences, hosts a web

site

[Guest guest]

Thanks for this one, a! I've copied it and will take it to my

neurologist--sounds like it might have an application for Dercum's!

Judi

[Guest guest]

Thanks for this one, a! I've copied it and will take it to my

neurologist--sounds like it might have an application for Dercum's!

Judi