Use of antidepressants in the treatment of chronic pain.
- Author:
Herng Nieng CHAN
1
;
Johnson FAM
;
Beng-Yeong NG
Author Information
1. Department of Psychiatry, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore. chan.herng.nieng@sgh.com.sg
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- MeSH:
Antidepressive Agents;
classification;
therapeutic use;
Humans;
Pain, Intractable;
complications;
drug therapy;
physiopathology
- From:Annals of the Academy of Medicine, Singapore
2009;38(11):974-979
- CountrySingapore
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
There is a high prevalence of chronic pain disorders in the population and the individual and societal costs are large. Antidepressants have been used in the treatment of chronic pain and the pain-relieving effects are independent of the mood-elevating properties. We reviewed randomised-controlled trials, systematic reviews and meta-analyses of antidepressants in the treatment of chronic pain disorders which were identified through searches of MEDLINE and EMBASE. Antidepressants have proved to be effective in the treatment of fibromyalgia, chronic low back pain, diabetic neuropathy, postherpetic neuralgia and chronic headache, in particular tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs). There is emerging evidence that newer dual-action antidepressants are equally efficacious. Antidepressants provide a viable option in the management of chronic pain disorders. Further research into novel antidepressants will aid the pain clinician in optimising treatment for patients.
