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Low dose amitriptyline in the treatment of chronic pain
Author(s) -
MCQUAY H. J.,
CARROLL D.,
GLYNN C. J.
Publication year - 1992
Publication title -
anaesthesia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.839
H-Index - 117
eISSN - 1365-2044
pISSN - 0003-2409
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2044.1992.tb02383.x
Subject(s) - medicine , amitriptyline , anesthesia , chronic pain , physical therapy
Summary The analgesic efficacy of amitriptyline 25 mg was compared with placebo in 41 patients with chronic (more than 3 months) nonmalignant pain, using a double‐blind randomised multiple‐dose 3‐week treatment period crossover design. Amitriptyline 25 mg provided significantly greater efficacy than placebo, with significant differences evident within the first week. There was no significant difference on mood scores between amitriptyline and placebo. The results suggest that surprisingly low doses of amitriptyline may be effective without substantial adverse effects, that the effect is evident early, and that the effect is distinguishable from any effect of the amitriptyline on mood.