‘No reliable evidence’ for antidepressants in treating chronic pain
Of 25 medications assessed only one was shown to be effective for pain, a Cochrane review has found
Nearly all antidepressants prescribed for chronic pain, lack robust evidence on whether they work or are safe long-term, according to the largest review of its kind.
Of the 25 antidepressants assessed, only duloxetine was shown to be effective for pain relief and improving physical function, say the UK authors of the Cochrane review.
The University of Southampton-led team also found “promising evidence” for milnacipran in this setting but stressed the need for further high-quality research “to be confident in these conclusions”.
“Evidence for all other antidepressants was low certainty,” they wrote.
