Four medicines are approved, the newest in 2025, and each helps some people a moderate amount. Exercise and therapy matter as much as pills. One new drug is in late testing; most other research is small.
- 222studies open or running
- 2phase 3 trials
- 1,040papers published this year
- 84NIH-funded projects
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Now
Nov 2026
First new medicine in 15 yearsHappened 1.8 vs 1.2 points of pain relief
Tonmya, a bedtime tablet, was approved in August 2025 and became available that autumn.
1.8 vs 1.2: points of pain relief on a 0 to 10 scale, Tonmya vs placebo.
A therapy app worked in a large trialHappened
A self-guided smartphone program beat a comparison app in phase 3.
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6 months
by May 2027
Cannabis oil trial reportsPossible
A 150-person placebo-controlled trial in Israel that also looks for markers of who responds. Its completion date was May 2026.
Gut bacteria transplant studyLong shot
100 people given a transplant of gut bacteria from healthy donors or a sham. Tests the idea that the gut drives symptoms.
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12 months
by Nov 2027
Metformin trial finishesPossible
The diabetes pill tested for fibromyalgia symptoms in 72 people at the University of Utah.
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3 years
by late 2029
Esreboxetine phase 3 resultLikely
AXS-14 in 620 people. The trial finishes in March 2028 and tests whether people who improve keep the benefit.
A fifth approved medicinePossible
If the trial is positive, esreboxetine could be filed for approval.
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5 years
by late 2031
A biological explanationLong shot
NIH-funded work on gut and immune changes, and the first animal model, aims to show what drives the condition.
The research paths
New medicines
1.8 vs 1.2 points of pain reliefDetails and 2 trialsHide
One drug was approved in 2025 and one more is in phase 3. Both adjust brain signalling chemicals rather than treating a known cause.
WatchWhether esreboxetine helps fatigue as well as pain.
Low-cost and repurposed treatments
Details and 3 trialsHide
Small trials of existing or inexpensive treatments. None is proven.
WatchAny result repeated in a second, larger trial.
Therapy by app
DetailsHide
Self-guided digital versions of therapies that work in person.
WatchInsurance coverage, which decides whether people can get it.
Borrowed from other conditions
From Muscle relaxants
Tonmya (cyclobenzaprine)
1.8 vs 1.2 points of pain relief
Approved 2025
A decades-old muscle relaxant, reformulated at a low dose to dissolve under the tongue at bedtime.
From Diabetes
Metformin
Phase 2
Tested on the idea that insulin resistance contributes to symptoms.
From Gut infection treatment
Gut bacteria transplant
Phase 2
An established treatment for recurrent C. difficile infection, tested here against a sham.
From Psychology
Acceptance and commitment therapy
Phase 3 done
A talk therapy for living with long-term symptoms, delivered by app.
Open to join now
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Adults with fibromyalgia
Esreboxetine (FORWARD)
Locations and eligibility → -
Adults with fibromyalgia, Utah
Metformin (INFORM)
Locations and eligibility → -
Adults with fibromyalgia, Israel
Cannabis oil
Locations and eligibility →
See every recruiting fibromyalgia trial →
When the trials finish
Completion dates the trials registered. Results usually follow 3 to 12 months later.
- Heating up
- Maturing
- Early
- Cooling
- Fully enrolled, waiting on results
- Still enrolling
Knowledge on the way
Not treatments yet: detection, causes and how care is delivered. Mostly NIH-funded.
- AreaQuestionFunded throughNews likely
- Causes Does a disturbed gut drive fibromyalgia?Massachusetts General Hospital · NIH Funded through Aug 2028 News likely 2027–2028
- Causes Building the first animal model of fibromyalgiaMassachusetts General Hospital · NIH Funded through Jun 2027 News likely 2027
- Care Managing chronic pain alongside other long-term conditionsUniversity of Michigan · NIH Funded through Jul 2029 News likely 2028–2029
What just happened
Tonmya also improved daily function
A further analysis of both phase 3 trials, presented by the company.
Esreboxetine phase 3 trial started
620 people; finishes in 2028.
Tonmya approved in the US
The first new fibromyalgia medicine in more than 15 years.
Standard treatment today
- First stepsEducation, graded aerobic exercise, sleep habits and, where available, cognitive behavioral therapy.
- MedicinesDuloxetine, milnacipran, pregabalin or Tonmya. Low-dose amitriptyline is also widely used.
- What to avoidOpioids are not recommended; they do not help and carry risks.
How to read this page, and sourcesHow to read this page, and sources
- Average benefits over placebo are modest; individual responses vary widely.
- Most studies outside the two drug programs are small and single-site.
- Completion dates are what each trial registered. Results usually follow 3 to 12 months later.
- Forecasts are editorial judgments by Find a Trial, not predictions from sponsors or regulators.
See fibromyalgia trials recruiting now →