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Pharmacologic Treatment Options in Functional Illness

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Functional Illness of the Head and Neck

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Abstract

Pharmacologic treatment for functional illnesses involves mostly the off-label use of medications. To date, most of the published studies include generally small randomized controlled trials, retrospective studies, and case reports. The current evidence for the following drugs and drug classes is covered in this chapter: acetaminophen, antidepressants, antiepileptics, antipsychotics, botulinum neurotoxin, corticosteroids, dopamine agonist, muscle relaxants, ketamine, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, tramadol, low-dose naltrexone, and stimulants. Based on the available literature, these medications are reviewed in the context of specific symptoms such as chronic cough, functional dizziness, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, somatoform disorders, tinnitus, and various chronic pain syndromes. The purpose of this overview is to help familiarize practitioners with investigated drugs and is not intended to provide treatment guidelines.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA

    Claire A. Abijay

  2. Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA

    Ashley D. Agan

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  1. Claire A. Abijay
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  2. Ashley D. Agan
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Correspondence to Ashley D. Agan .

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  1. Otolaryngology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada

    Brian W. Blakley

  2. Winnipeg, MB, Canada

    Joan E. Blakley

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Abijay, C.A., Agan, A.D. (2023). Pharmacologic Treatment Options in Functional Illness. In: Blakley, B.W., Blakley, J.E. (eds) Functional Illness of the Head and Neck. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-12998-8_20

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