title: Treatment of chronic pain with tricyclic antidepressants.
abstract: Tricyclic antidepressants are increasingly being used to treat chronic pain. A review of the literature supports their use in a variety of conditions and sheds some light on the question as to whether they exert a direct analgesic effect or act indirectly, by first alleviating an intercurrent depression. Their use is recommended for chronic pain before resorting to narcotics or neurosurgery.
mesh_terms: D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects; D003863:Depression / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D010148:Intractable Pain / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic