No effect of antiviral (valacyclovir) treatment in fibromyalgia: a double blind, randomized study.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effect of an antiviral compound, valacyclovir, on pain and tenderness in patients with the fibromyalgia (FM) syndrome.


METHODS
Sixty patients were randomized into a double blind, placebo controlled 6 week trial. Primary outcome was pain intensity change (on visual analog scale). Secondary outcome measures were tender points (myalgic score) and Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ).


RESULTS
Fifty-two patients completed the study. The numbers of dropouts due to adverse events were equal in valacyclovir (2) and placebo (2) groups. The effect of valacyclovir on pain and tenderness and FIQ did not differ from placebo.


CONCLUSIONS
Valacyclovir cannot be recommended as a therapy for FM at this point.
Kendall
Sally Aspegren
SA
Parker Institute, Department of Rheumatology, Frederiksberg Hospital, Frederiksberg, Denmark.
Schaadt
Malika Lone Chenoufi
ML
Graff
Lykke Bjerglund
LB
Wittrup
Irene
I
Malmskov
Hanne
H
Krogsgaard
Kim
K
Bartels
Else-Marie
EM
Bliddal
Henning
H
Danneskiold-Samsøe
Bente
B
D000212:Acyclovir / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000284:Administration, Oral; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005356:Fibromyalgia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D007596:Joints / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010146:Pain / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D010147:Pain Measurement; D018434:Sickness Impact Profile; D013607:Tablets; D000077483:Valacyclovir; D014633:Valine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D000998:Antiviral Agents; D013607:Tablets; D014633:Valine; D000077483:Valacyclovir; D000212:Acyclovir