title: Amitriptyline in the treatment of chemotherapy-induced neuropathic symptoms.
abstract: Neuropathy is common in patients receiving vinca alkaloids, platinum derivatives, or taxanes. This double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study assessed the efficacy of low-dose amitriptyline to relieve chemotherapy-induced symptoms in 44 patients (age 20-65 years) who had neuropathic symptoms (numbness, tingling, pain) with a severity of > or =3/10. They were treated with amitriptyline for eight weeks (10mg/day to start, then dose elevation of 10mg/week up to 50mg/day if tolerated, followed by a stable dose > or =4 weeks). The patients completed a diary twice weekly, noting the intensity of pain, numbness and tingling, global improvement, and adverse effects. Neurological examination was performed at each visit (baseline, four, and eight weeks). The patients assessed both intensity and relief of pain, and overall discomfort. They also completed the Neuropathic Pain Scale and validated measures of anxiety and depression, and quality of life (QoL). The results demonstrated that amitriptyline did not improve sensory neuropathic symptoms, although there was a trend toward global improvement and improved QoL in favor of the amitriptyline group. No statistical significance was reached, probably due to the small number of patients and too low dose of amitriptyline. Amitriptyline was well tolerated.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oncology, Helsinki University Central Hospital, Helsinki, Finland.
authors.forename: Anna-Liisa
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Kautio
authors.forename: Maija
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Haanpää
authors.forename: Tiina
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Saarto
authors.forename: Eija
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kalso
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000639:Amitriptyline / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003863:Depression / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009043:Motor Activity; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology; D010523:Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D011788:Quality of Life; D012890:Sleep
chemical_list: D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D000639:Amitriptyline