title: A comparative trial of amitriptyline and zimelidine in post-herpetic neuralgia.
abstract: Serotoninergic pathways are believed to be important in pain mechanisms. Accordingly, we studied the action of zimelidine, a very highly serotoninergic antidepressant, in relieving the pain of post-herpetic neuralgia. Fifteen patients received zimelidine and amitriptyline in that order in an open-label cross-over study. Only one patient with zimelidine obtained a good result, whereas 8 patients on amitriptyline amitriptyline has a pain-relieving action, at least in post-herpetic neuralgia, which is not primarily linked with its serotoninergic effects and which is also independent of its effects on depression.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000639:Amitriptyline / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006562:Herpes Zoster / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009437:Neuralgia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D015031:Zimeldine / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D000639:Amitriptyline; D015031:Zimeldine