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Repurposed drugs targeting multiple pathophysiological mechanisms may improve therapeutic outcomes in fibromyalgia.

This review discusses repurposed drugs for fibromyalgia, including NMDA receptor antagonists, neurokinin-1 receptor antagonists, GABA system drugs, antiepileptics, antidepressants, opioids, cannabinoids, dopamine receptor agonists, melatonin receptor agonists, and antidiabetics. It emphasizes a multi-target strategy addressing neurochemical alterations, central sensitization, neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, gut microbiota disturbances, and autoimmunity.

Last updated: Jul 30, 2026•0 RCTs•📖 Read as article →

Evidence Score

Evidence Score32/100
Human RCT☆☆☆☆☆
Meta-analysis☆☆☆☆☆
Mechanism★★★★★
Safety★★★★☆
Confidencelow

Study Evidence

Study 1. Therapeutic and research frontiers in fibromyalgia: integrating pathophysiology with innovative drug repurposing.

observational

Joodi SA, Nawwar DA, Rasheed NOA, Ibrahim WW, Sayed HM · Inflammopharmacology (2026)

Participants: N/A
Duration: N/A
Intervention: Repurposed drugs (e.g., NMDA receptor antagonists, neurokinin-1 receptor antagonists, GABA system drugs, antiepileptics, antidepressants, opioids, cannabinoids, dopamine receptor agonists, melatonin receptor agonists, antidiabetics)
Outcome: Therapeutic efficacy in fibromyalgia (symptomatic relief, targeting comorbidities, central sensitization, neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction)
Effect Size: N/A
Population: Fibromyalgia patients (general, with comorbidities)

Result:

PubMed: 42489789DOI: 10.1007/s10787-026-02349-5

Mechanism Graph

Target neurochemical alterations and central sensitization
↓
Enhance descending inhibitory pain pathways
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Suppress neuroinflammation via NLRP3 inflammasome inhibition and anti-inflammatory glial polarization
↓
Attenuate oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction
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Result: Improved therapeutic outcomes in fibromyalgia

Limitations

  • ⚠Many proposed mechanisms remain under investigation and are not yet well-established
  • ⚠The review does not provide quantitative effect sizes or specific clinical trial results for individual repurposed drugs

Frequently Asked Questions

What repurposed drugs are discussed for fibromyalgia?▼

The review discusses NMDA receptor antagonists, neurokinin-1 receptor antagonists, GABA system drugs, antiepileptics, antidepressants, opioids, cannabinoids, dopamine receptor agonists, melatonin receptor agonists, and antidiabetics.

What pathophysiological mechanisms are targeted?▼

Targeted mechanisms include neurochemical alterations, central sensitization, neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, gut microbiota disturbances, and autoimmunity.

Is this a clinical trial or a review?▼

This is a review article (not a clinical trial) that summarizes preclinical and clinical studies on repurposed drugs for fibromyalgia.

What future research frontiers are suggested?▼

Future research should focus on addressing comorbidities, enhancing descending inhibitory pain pathways, suppressing neuroinflammation via NLRP3 inflammasome inhibition, promoting anti-inflammatory glial polarization, and attenuating oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction.

Products

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References

  1. 1.Joodi SA, Nawwar DA, Rasheed NOA, Ibrahim WW, Sayed HM. "Therapeutic and research frontiers in fibromyalgia: integrating pathophysiology with innovative drug repurposing.." Inflammopharmacology, 2026. PMID: 42489789 DOI: 10.1007/s10787-026-02349-5
Disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Evidence scores reflect the quality and quantity of available research, not clinical recommendations. Always consult a healthcare professional before starting any supplement or intervention.