FDA approves Cymbalta for Fibromyalgia

Indianapolis -- Eli Lilly and Co. said the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved duloxetine HCl, marketed under the name Cymbalta, for fibromyalgia.

The Indianapolis drug maker said Cymbalta is the first serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor proven to give relief to patients with the pain disorder.

"The FDA approval of Cymbalta for the management of fibromyalgia is another
important step in the efforts to ensure that people with fibromyalgia will have the availability of effective medications to help reduce the chronic, widespread pain of this life-altering disorder," Lynne Matallana, president of the National Fibromyalgia Association, said in a statement.

Cymbalta was previously approved for the management of diabetic peripheral neuropathic pain, the treatment of major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder in adults age 18 years and older, Eli Lilly said.

Copyright 2008 by United Press International.