FDA Watch list for Fibromyalgia and CFS Drugs

By Adrienne Dellwo, About.com Guide, Monday February 14, 2011:


NEWSBRIEF: The U.S. FDA has added drugs sometimes used for treating fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome to its watch list, along with 11 other drugs.

Xyrem (sodium oxybate), which was recently denied as a fibromyalgia treatment, is on the list because of the risk of death. Xyrem is approved for narcolepsy symptoms and is a Schedule III federally controlled substance.

Also on the list is immune globulin G (IgG or IVIG, brand name Octagam), which some doctors use to treat chronic fatigue syndrome. The threat here is thromboembolism (blood clots moving through the bloodstream), which can cause stroke.

If you're using one of these medications and are concerned about the safety risks, talk to your doctor.

The complete list of drugs added to the list is available on the FDA's website.