Antidepressants as analgesics: a review of randomized controlled trials

This review provides an overview of 59 randomized placebo-controlled trials that examined the analgesic effect of antidepressants. To summarize, there is significant evidence that the tricyclic group of antidepressants is analgesic and that trazodone is not; the data regarding selective serotonin re...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of psychiatry & neuroscience 2001-01, Vol.26 (1), p.30-36
Main Author: Lynch, M E
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Analgesics - pharmacology
Analgesics - therapeutic use
Animals
Antidepressants
Antidepressive Agents - pharmacology
Antidepressive Agents - therapeutic use
Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic - pharmacology
Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic - therapeutic use
Drugs
Humans
Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors - pharmacology
Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors - therapeutic use
Pain
Pain - drug therapy
Physiological aspects
Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
Serotonin Uptake Inhibitors - pharmacology
Serotonin Uptake Inhibitors - therapeutic use
Testing
Treatment
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Description
Summary:This review provides an overview of 59 randomized placebo-controlled trials that examined the analgesic effect of antidepressants. To summarize, there is significant evidence that the tricyclic group of antidepressants is analgesic and that trazodone is not; the data regarding selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors are conflicting. To date, there are no randomized controlled trials examining the potential analgesic action of nefazodone or venlafaxine, but on the basis of initial clinical reports and its structural similarity to other analgesics, venlafaxine shows promise as an analgesic.
ISSN:1180-4882
1488-2434