title: Antidepressant and anticonvulsant medication for chronic pain.
abstract: Antidepressants and anticonvulsants have been shown to be efficacious in the treatment of neuropathic pain, chronic headache, and other chronic pain conditions. They may be useful in the treatment of disorders in which central nervous system hypersensitivity con-tributes to pain. They provide valuable alternatives or adjuncts to the use of opioid medications in the treatment of chronic pain. Antidepressants have several potential roles in the treatment of chronic pain in addition to their analgesic effects. Specifically, they effectively address the sleep disturbance, depression, and anxiety that are common in patients with chronic pain.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, University of Washington, 1959 Pacific Street, Box 356560, Seattle, WA 98195, USA. sullimar@u.washington.edu
authors.forename: Mark D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Sullivan
authors.forename: James P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Robinson
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010146:Pain / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010147:Pain Measurement; D011379:Prognosis; D018570:Risk Assessment; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000927:Anticonvulsants; D000928:Antidepressive Agents