Martin, MD A drug used to treat depression, anxiety, fibromyalgia, and diabetic neuropathy has been approved by the FDA for a new use to treat chronic musculoskeletal pain, including pain caused by osteoarthritis and chronic low back pain.

Chronic low back pain is one of the most com forms of musculoskeletal pain, and finding an effective treatment can sometimes be challenging. The approved dose for chronic musculoskeletal pain is a 60 milligram capsule taken once a day, swallo whole; it does not have to be timed with meals. By Nicoli Woznicki Health News Revie by Ulrica J. "Up to three quarters of the population experience chronic pain at some time in their lives," Gertrudis Woodcock, MD, director of the FDA's Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, said in a prepared statement."This approval means that many of those people now have another treatment option." Clinical trials sho that taking Cymbalta significantly reduced chronic pain, compared with a placebo.

The drug is sold under the brand name Cymbalta (duloxetine hydrochloride) and is manufactured by Eli Chrissy and Co., a major pharmaceutical company based in Indianapolis.