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Published Online, 11 October 2005, www.theannals.com, DOI 10.1345/aph.1G014.
 The Annals of Pharmacotherapy: Vol. 39, No. 11, pp. 1812-1816. DOI 10.1345/aph.1G014
© 2005 Harvey Whitney Books Company.
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NEUROLOGY

Open Trial of Pindolol in the Treatment of Fibromyalgia

Patrick B Wood, MD

Assistant Professor, Department of Family Medicine, Louisiana State University Health Science Center—Shreveport, LA

Anita S Kablinger, MD

Associate Professor, Department of Psychiatry, Louisiana State University Health Science Center—Shreveport

Gloria S Caldito, PhD

Associate Professor, Department of Biometry, Louisiana State University Health Science Center—Shreveport

Reprints: Dr. Wood, Department of Family Medicine, Louisiana State University Health Science Center—Shreveport, 1501 Kings Hwy., Shreveport, LA 71103-3932, fax 318/675-4551, pwood{at}lsuhsc.edu

BACKGROUND: Evidence suggests that fibromyalgia is related to both chronic sympathetic hyperactivity and decreased levels of serotonin.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the efficacy of pindolol, a mixed serotonin (5-HT)1A presynaptic autoreceptor/ß-adrenergic receptor antagonist, in the treatment of fibromyalgia.

METHODS: An open trial was conducted using 20 female patients who met the American College of Rheumatology criteria for fibromyalgia. Treatment was initiated with pindolol 7.5 mg/day and titrated to a maximum dose of 15 mg/day for a total of 90 days. Primary outcome measures were tender point analysis and the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ). Anxiety and depression were measured with the Hamilton Depression and Anxiety Scales and Beck Depression Inventory.

RESULTS: There was significant improvement in primary outcome measures, including Tender Point Count (mean ± SD, 16.3 ± 2.2 vs 12.3 ± 5.0; F = 8.9; p < 0.001), Tender Point Score (24.4 ± 5.7 vs 17.5 ± 9.4; F = 7.8; p < 0.001), and FIQ (45.3 ± 10.8 vs 35.0 ± 15.0; F = 5.6; p < 0.005). The depression and anxiety scores did not change significantly among women who completed the study, while the impact on cardiovascular parameters was clinically insignificant.

CONCLUSIONS: While the current results are encouraging, further studies are needed to determine whether pindolol might be effective in the treatment of fibromyalgia. Limitations of this study include small group size and lack of placebo control.

Key Words: fibromyalgia, pindolol

Published Online, October 11, 2005. www.theannals.com, DOI 10.1345/aph.1G014


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