Current research published in the Clinical Rheumatology journal revealed that lidocaine injections are effective in managing Fibromyalgia. In the new study, researchers from the Santa Casa de Misericordia in Brazil studied the effect of lidocaine injections on 23 patients with Fibromyalgia.
The researchers used the last method on the study participants and administered the drug in escalating doses, beginning with 2mg/kg and continuing to 5mg/kg. The injections were given once a day for five days.
Pain and quality of life was noted at the beginning of the study, after the fifth dose and again after 30 days. Results showed significant improvements in both areas after the fifth day, which continued for 30 days.
The researchers also stated in the journal that lidocaine used intravenously is a safe and effective form of treatment for pain.
Lidocaine is used by dentists and in surgeries as a mild anaesthetic. Lidocaine is also available in pain patches that can be prescribed to patients for their particular pain needs. Lidocaine is also comes in the form of gels, sprays and creams or can be used intravenously.
This seems to run counter to the body of evidence indicating fibromyalgia is a central nervous system disorder (and to previous studies using trigger point injections). Without having read the article, my first reaction is that the injections are likely treating comorbid myofascial pain syndrome rather than fibromyalgia syndrome.