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Australian Family Physician
Australian Family Physician

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Volume 40, Issue 11, November 2011

Treating chronic fatigue syndrome A study into the scientific evidence for pharmacological treatments

Mieke van Driel Sanne Kreijkamp-Kaspers Ekua Weba Brenu Sonya Marshall Don Staines
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Background
Chronic fatigue syndrome, or myalgic encephalomyelitis (CFS), is a severe disabling condition. Patients with CFS usually trial many different medicines, both conventional and complementary. An overview of the pharmacological treatments used by CFS patients and the available evidence underpinning the use of these treatments would be of great value to both patients and their healthcare providers.
Results
The 94 CFS patients used 474 different medicines and supplements. The most commonly used medicines were antidepressants, analgesics, sedatives, and B vitamins. We identified 20 randomised controlled trials studying these medicines in CFS patients.
Conclusion
While conventional and complementary medicines are widely used by CFS patients, the evidence for effectiveness in CFS is very limited.

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Printed from Australian Family Physician - https://www.racgp.org.au/afp/2011/november/treating-chronic-fatigue-syndrome
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