| abstract |
Methods for treating chronic widespread pain associated with drug therapy or radiation therapy are described. The method generally involves administering a therapeutically effective amount of a dual or tri reuptake inhibitor of a specific type or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. Preferably the compound is a non-tricyclic dual reuptake inhibitor. The most preferred compound is milnacipran or a bioequivalent or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. Other preferred compounds are duloxetine and venlafaxine or a bioequivalent or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. In yet another embodiment, a therapeutically effective amount of a non-tricyclic triple reuptake inhibitor (“TRI”) compound of a specific type, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, is administered. The TRI compounds are characterized by their ability to block the reuptake (and, hence, increase central concentrations of) the three primary brain monoamines: serotonin, noradrenaline, and dopamine. |