Which medication is indicated for fibromyalgia and major depressive disorder due to its antidepressant and analgesic properties?

Which medication is indicated for fibromyalgia and major depressive disorder due to its antidepressant and analgesic properties?

• A. Duloxetine (Cymbalta)
• B. Sertraline
• C. Amitriptyline
• D. Gabapentin

Answer: (A)

Fibromyalgia with coexisting depression is best approached with a medication that can address both mood and pain signals. Duloxetine is an SNRI that increases serotonin and norepinephrine in the central nervous system, which helps improve depressive symptoms and enhances the body's pain-modulating pathways to reduce fibromyalgia-related pain. This dual analgesic and antidepressant action is why it’s indicated for both major depressive disorder and fibromyalgia, making it the most fitting choice for a patient with both conditions. Other options here focus mainly on mood or on pain alone and don’t provide the same combined benefit. Sertraline is primarily an antidepressant with limited proven effect on fibromyalgia pain; amitriptyline can help pain but is a TCA with more side effects and isn’t the preferred first-line fibromyalgia treatment when depression is also present; gabapentin targets certain pain types but isn’t an antidepressant and isn’t indicated for fibromyalgia with depression.

Fibromyalgia with coexisting depression is best approached with a medication that can address both mood and pain signals. Duloxetine is an SNRI that increases serotonin and norepinephrine in the central nervous system, which helps improve depressive symptoms and enhances the body's pain-modulating pathways to reduce fibromyalgia-related pain. This dual analgesic and antidepressant action is why it’s indicated for both major depressive disorder and fibromyalgia, making it the most fitting choice for a patient with both conditions. Other options here focus mainly on mood or on pain alone and don’t provide the same combined benefit. Sertraline is primarily an antidepressant with limited proven effect on fibromyalgia pain; amitriptyline can help pain but is a TCA with more side effects and isn’t the preferred first-line fibromyalgia treatment when depression is also present; gabapentin targets certain pain types but isn’t an antidepressant and isn’t indicated for fibromyalgia with depression.