Myers Cocktail for Fibromyalgia Syndrome

A recent pilot study has established the safety and feasability of an intraveneous micronutrient therapy (IVMT) for Fibromyalgia Syndrome (Fibro) that is commonly known as a Myer's Cocktail. However, the pilot study could not establish the efficiacy of the treatment.

The randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot study was carried out by a team from the Yale University School of Medicine and the article was e-published ahead of print in the Journal of Alternative & Complementary Medicine,

For the pilot study, 34 adults with Fibro (as defined by the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) criteria for the diagnosis of Fibro) were randomly assigned either to treatment (weekly infusions of IVMT) or to placebo (weekly infusions of lactated Ringer's solution) for 8 weeks.

The primary outcome measure used was change in the Tender Point Index, assessed at 8 and 12 weeks after the start of the pilot study. Secondary outcomes measures used included a Visual Analog Scale to assess global pain, and validated measures of physical function (Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire), mood (Beck Depression Index), and quality of life (Health Status Questionnaire 2.0).

Clinically significant improvements were noted (of a magnitude similar to other effective interventions). However, in part because of the high placebo response and the small sample size, no statistically significant differences were seen between groups, in any outcome measure, at 8 and 16 weeks. Statistically significant within-group differences were seen in both the intervention and placebo groups, demonstrating a treatment effect for both IVMT and placebo. ¹

At 8 weeks, the IVMT group experienced significantly improved tender points, pain, depression, and quality of life directly following treatment, while the placebo group experienced significantly improved tender points only. The treatment effects of IVMT persisted at 4 weeks postintervention for tender points, pain, and quality of life, while placebo effects persisted only for tender points. ¹

A single minor adverse event was noted in one subject in the intervention group.¹

The researchers concluded that:

"This first controlled pilot study established the safety and feasibility of treating FMS with IVMT. Most subjects experienced relief as compared to baseline, but no statistically significant differences were seen between IVMT and placebo. The efficacy of IVMT for fibromyalgia, relative to placebo, is as yet uncertain." ¹

A larger study may be able to determine the efficiacy of this treatment more conclusively. In research studies, the larger the participant group, the easier it is to prove that a small difference is significant.

The term "Myers Cocktail" is most commonly known by UK patients in reference to a modified version of the Myer's cocktail that is given at some private clinics. This modified Myer's Cocktail is an intra-muscular injection, rather than an intraveneous therapy, and is also given with an injection of lidocaine for pain reduction.

References:

1. Ali A, Njike VY, Northrup V, Sabina AB, Williams AL, Liberti LS, Perlman AI, Adelson H, Katz DL. Intravenous Micronutrient Therapy (Myers' Cocktail) for Fibromyalgia: A Placebo-Controlled Pilot Study. J Altern Complement Med. 2009 Feb 28. [Epub ahead of print]