Creatine May Alleviate Fibromyalgia Symptoms, Improve Strength

Reuters (5/3, Stokes) reported that creatine supplements may be a good non-drug alternative to fibromyalgia medications, suggests a study published in the April 1 issue of the journal Arthritis Care & Research. In the double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial, the researchers at the University of São Paulo School of Physical Education and Sports in Brazil gave 23 patients with fibromyalgia daily doses of either creatine supplements or placebo tablets for 16 weeks.

They found that the 15 trial participants in the creatine arm had a significant improvement in pain levels, moods, sleep quality and muscle strength compared to the 13-person placebo group, which reported no changes in the aforementioned qualifiers. Reuters noted that although at present, there are a number of FDA-approved treatments on the market — Cymbalta (duloxetine) and Savella (milnacipran), which are antidepressants; Lyrica (pregabalin), which was initially developed for nerve pain; and several anti-seizure therapies and sedatives — they have not been especially effective in alleviating fibromyalgia symptoms and many of them include unpleasant side effects.