Chronic pain affects millions of people worldwide, but current treatments may not be as effective as we previously thought.
A new study has found that the effectiveness of antidepressants in the treatment of chronic pain is not well established. While preliminary evidence suggests that these drugs may alleviate neuropathic pain, the results of a large meta-analysis have muddied the waters. The causes of chronic pain are diverse and not fully understood, writes IFLScience.
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The UK research team scoured multiple databases to find any studies or trials that had given people chronic pain antidepressants, and then conducted an extensive network meta-analysis to evaluate the effectiveness of different drugs.
The search found 176 studies involving nearly 29,000 participants who took 89 different drugs or combinations of drugs to relieve pain from conditions such as fibromyalgia, nerve pain, or musculoskeletal pain. The most commonly used drugs are SNRIs, TCAs, and SSRIs.
The results of the meta-analysis were sobering: duloxetine was the only antidepressant that appeared to provide some benefit in pain relief, with patients taking standard doses more likely to feel better than those taking placebo.
Milnacipran was a possible candidate, but there was insufficient evidence of its effectiveness. For all other antidepressants, the data did not provide sufficient evidence to decide whether they were effective in relieving pain.
Some had little effect on mood, but the studies did not take into account the mental health status of the participants, making the results ambiguous.
Safety was another concern: the data did not provide reliable evidence of the safety of antidepressants in the treatment of chronic pain in the short or long term.
But the researchers cautioned that patients who find antidepressants effective should stick with them. While the results of the study were disappointing, they hope it will help policymakers prescribe antidepressants based on individual needs.
Experts say the results don’t mean the drugs are useless, but instead highlight the need for better clinical trials and a more personalized approach.
The researchers suggest that this comprehensive analysis shows that most antidepressants are ineffective in the treatment of chronic pain in clinical trials conducted on the assumption that pain is the same for everyone.
Pain manifests differently in different people, and not everyone responds to the same medications. “Are antidepressants effective in treating pain?” not “who are antidepressants effective on?” We must ask the question.
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Important! This article is based on and does not contradict the latest scientific and medical research. The text is for informational purposes only and does not contain medical advice. Be sure to see a doctor for a diagnosis.
Source: Focus
Ashley Fitzgerald is an accomplished journalist in the field of technology. She currently works as a writer at 24 news breaker. With a deep understanding of the latest technology developments, Ashley’s writing provides readers with insightful analysis and unique perspectives on the industry.