Effect of Antidepressants on Back Pain

Summary

The purpose of this study is to determine whether different types of antidepressant medicines relieve back pain that has lasted at least six months on a daily basis. Study participants will be assigned to treatment with either a antidepressant acting on the serotonin system in the brain (fluoxetine), one acting on the noradrenaline system (desipramine, or to a control medication not expected to relieve pain (benztropine). Each participant will be seen at least nine times during their 12 weeks on medication. This is a phase 2/3, outpatient study.

Timeline

Start

1999-04

Primary completion

2003-12

Completion

2004-03

Publications

• Results Atkinson JH, Slater MA, Capparelli EV, Wallace MS, Zisook S, Abramson I, Matthews SC, Garfin SR. Efficacy of noradrenergic and serotonergic antidepressants in chronic back pain: a preliminary concentration-controlled trial. J Clin Psychopharmacol. 2007 Apr;27(2):135-42. doi: 10.1097/jcp.0b013e3180333ed5.

Drugs

Indications