A randomized trial of fluoxetine versus amitriptyline in musculo-skeletal pain

Shaul Schreiber*, Svetlana Vinokur, Victor Shavelzon, Chaim G. Pick, Eyal Zahavi, Yoram Shir

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

45 Scopus citations

Abstract

In a preclinical study we found fluoxetine alone to induce a serotonin-mediated, dose-dependent antinociceptive effect in the mouse hot plate assay. In the present study we evaluated the clinical implication of these findings, comparing the efficacy of fluoxetine with that of amitriptyline for musculo-skeletal pain. Forty non-depressed patients, suffering from low back pain and whiplash associated cervical pain were enrolled in a randomized, six-week, "blind-rater" study, comparing the analgesic effect of amitriptyline (50-75 mgs/day) with that of fluoxetine (20 mgs/day). Twenty patients were randomly assigned to the amitriptyline group, and twenty to the fluoxetine group. Visual analogue and verbal rating scales were used for the assessment of pain intensity and pain relief. Thirty-five patients concluded the study. Moderate or good relief of pain was reported by 14 of the 17 patients (82%) in the amitriptyline group, and by 14 of the 18 patients (77%) in the fluoxetine group. The difference in responses between amitriptyline and fluoxetine was not statistically significant. In our study, fluoxetine relieved low back pain and whiplash associated cervical pain with efficacy similar to that of amitriptyline, offering an alternative for patients unable to tolerate the tricyclic antidepressants' side effects.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)88-94
Number of pages7
JournalIsrael Journal of Psychiatry and Related Sciences
Volume38
Issue number2
StatePublished - 2001
Externally publishedYes

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'A randomized trial of fluoxetine versus amitriptyline in musculo-skeletal pain'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this