ABSTRACT
Objective: To compare the efficacy of paroxetine and amitriptyline in the treatment of primary fibromyalgia syndrome.Methods:46 out- and in-patients with primary fibromyalgia syndrome were randomized to two groups and treated respectively with amitriptyline 25mg~50mg per day and paroxetine 10mg~20mg per day. The Visual analogue scales(VAS) was used to evaluate the efficacy and adverse effects were recorded at baseline, month 1 and month 3.Results:In both groups pain was alleviated with statistical significance after 1 month of treatment. However the efficacy of amitriptyline and paroxetine was not statistically significant at different time points. The occurrence of adverse effects in paroxetine group was less than in amitriptyline group and the difference was statistically significant, especially dry mouth and palpitation.Conclusion:Paroxetine is as effective as amitriptyline in the treatment of primary fibromyalgia syndrome but with a better safety profile.