Rethink antidepressants for chronic pain, Aus researchers say
Findings should aid doctors in weighing up the benefits and harms before prescribing, say the authors.
Most antidepressants offer little or no benefit when prescribed off label for chronic pain, with only the use of SNRIs supported by moderate-certainty evidence, according to an Australian-led review.
Overall, SNRIs were shown to be effective for managing seven out of the 22 pain conditions covered — far higher than any other antidepressant class, say University of Sydney researchers.
