Treating Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS): Pharmaceuticals Against Fatigue
Central Nervous System Stimulants. Most of the pharmaceuticals used to increase energy in chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) are central nervous system (CNS) stimulants that are either amphetamines or are amphetamine-like in structure. Amphetamines have been used in the past to elevate mood, reduce feelings of fatigue and increase alertness, concentration and motivation.Stimulants increase blood pressure and the heart rate and constrict the blood vessels and increase blood glucose levels. Many are similar in chemical structure to the neurohormone norepinephrine, which some studies suggest may be raised in chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS).
Stimulants increase blood pressure, the heart rate, and constrict the blood vessels and increase blood glucose. Many are similar in chemical structure to the neurohormone norepinephrine, which plays a key role in constricting the blood vessels when we stand.
In the past amphetamines were used to treat many disorders including asthma and other respiratory diseases, obesity, neurological disorders, etc. but their potential for abuse and addiction has restricted their use to just a few conditions such as attention deficit disorder. When taken in the prescribed doses the risk of addiction is reportedly very low.
Central Nervous System Stimulants May Be Helpful in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) because they increase alertness, concentration, motivation and energy and can assist with circulatory problems.
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) Physicians Report. Dr. Lapp and Dr.Teitelbaum appear to have had considerable success with these drugs. Dr.Teitelbaum states stimulants ‘can be very helpful for many people with CFIDS’. He believes that Dexedrine and Ritalin are underused in ME/CFS. Stimulants such as methylphenidate (Ritalin), dexamphetamine (Dexedrine or Adderall), and modafinil (Provigil) are Dr. Lapp’s first choice in this area.
Dr. Bateman has had more success using central nervous system stimulating drugs with FM-type patients than with patients with more pure ME/CFS. She says “The more pure CFS you have, the less you can fix it with a stimulant” and she raises the problem of sensitivities to drugs.
Dr. Cheney does not use stimulants. He believes that while SSRI’s and stimulants may be beneficial in the short term that in the long term they can ‘fry your brain’.
Central Nervous System Stimulants in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS). Click on each to get more information about their uses in ME/CFS.
Return to Increasing Energy in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) / Return To ME/CFS Treatment
These summaries were put together by a layman with ME/CFS and are not intended to provide complete information on the side effects or any other aspects of these drugs. They are for information purposes only.
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Lucinda Bateman, MD., 2006. “Tips and Travails of Treatment”, An abridged
version of a seminar transcript of a Nov. Lecture in Auckland, New Zealand,
by Pat Fero and David Thompson.
Charles Lapp, MD.,2002.
HealthWatch Treatment Guide. On the Effective Treatment of Chronic Fatigue
Syndrome and Fibromyalgia. ImmuneSupport
Carol Sieverling, 2000, “Paul Cheney, M.D. on SSRI’s and Stimulants: Frying
the Brain” From the CFIDS and FMS Support Group of Dallas Fort Worth.
Jacob Teitelbaum, 2007. From Fatigued to Fantastic 3rd ed., Avery Press.