title: No effect of antiviral (valacyclovir) treatment in fibromyalgia: a double blind, randomized study.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Parker Institute, Department of Rheumatology, Frederiksberg Hospital, Frederiksberg, Denmark.
authors.forename: Sally Aspegren
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Kendall
authors.forename: Malika Lone Chenoufi
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Schaadt
authors.forename: Lykke Bjerglund
authors.initials: LB
authors.lastname: Graff
authors.forename: Irene
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Wittrup
authors.forename: Hanne
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Malmskov
authors.forename: Kim
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Krogsgaard
authors.forename: Else-Marie
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Bartels
authors.forename: Henning
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Bliddal
authors.forename: Bente
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Danneskiold-Samsøe
mesh_terms: 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*
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D013607:Tablets; D014633:Valine; D000077483:Valacyclovir; D000212:Acyclovir