Späth, M, Welzel, D, Färber, L · Scandinavian journal of rheumatology. Supplement · 2000
Researchers tested whether two medications that block serotonin receptors (tropisetron and ondansetron) might help ME/CFS patients feel less fatigued. About one third of the patients who took these medications reported meaningful improvement in fatigue and energy levels over 15 days, with no serious side effects reported.
This is one of the earliest investigations of 5-HT3 antagonists in ME/CFS, based on emerging evidence of serotonergic dysfunction. Even this preliminary finding of one third response rates provided rationale for more rigorous controlled trials, and contributed to understanding potential neuroimmunological mechanisms in ME/CFS.
This small, uncontrolled open-label study does not prove efficacy—response could reflect placebo effect, natural disease fluctuation, or observer bias. The 15-day treatment window is too short to assess durability of benefit or long-term safety. Results cannot be generalized beyond the small sample studied.
About the PEM badge: “PEM required” means post-exertional malaise was an explicit required diagnostic criterion for participant inclusion in this study — not that PEM was studied, observed, or discussed. Studies using criteria that do not require PEM (e.g. Fukuda, Oxford) are tagged “PEM not required”. How the atlas works →
The first block is for the primary paper and is the citation you should use in research work. The atlas-snapshot line only applies if you are specifically referring to this atlas’s reading of the paper on the date shown.
Primary citation
Späth, M, Welzel, D, & Färber, L (2000). Treatment of chronic fatigue syndrome with 5-HT3 receptor antagonists--preliminary results.. Scandinavian journal of rheumatology. Supplement. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11028837/
BibTeX
@article{mecfsatlas-spth-2000-treatment-chronic,
author = {Späth, M and Welzel, D and Färber, L},
title = {Treatment of chronic fatigue syndrome with 5-HT3 receptor antagonists--preliminary results.},
journal = {Scandinavian journal of rheumatology. Supplement},
year = {2000},
note = {PubMed: 11028837},
url = {https://www.mecfsatlas.com/evidence/spth-2000-treatment-chronic},
}Atlas snapshot reference
ME/CFS Atlas. Generator v1 / Scanner v1.4 / policy v0.1. Accessed 2026-05-30. https://www.mecfsatlas.com/evidence/spth-2000-treatment-chronic
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