Generic Name Brand Names
Amitriptyline Elavil®
Doxepin Sinequan®
Imipramine Tofranil®
Desipramine
Growth Hormone
Norpramin®
Nortriptyline Aventyl®, Pamelor®
Clomipramine Anafranil®
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs)
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) tend to be less sedating than Trycyclic Antidepressants. While
Medical Marijuana
effective for headache prevention, they are not as effective as TCAs for the management of neuropathic pain. Side
effects include dry mouth, constipation, nausea and vomiting, drowsiness, anxiety, insomnia, poor appetite, and
sexual problems.
Commonly Prescribed Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) for Chronic Pain Management
Generic Name Brand Names
Fluxetine Prozac®
Sertraline Zoloft®
Paroxetine Paxil®
Fluvoxamine
Luvox®
Citalopram Celexa®
Escitalopram Lexapro®
Selective Serotonin and Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs)
Selective Serotonin and Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs) are mixed norepinephrine and serotonin
inhibitors. SNRIs are useful in the management of diabetic peripheral neuropathy, fibromyalgia, depression, and
neuropathic pain. Side effects of SNRIs include nausea and vomiting, dizziness, sleepiness, anxiety, abnormal
vision, abnormal dreams, agitation, and sexual dysfunction.
Commonly Prescribed Selective Serotonin and Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs)
Generic Name Brand Names
Duloxetine Cymbalta®
Milnacipran Savelle ®
Venlafaxine Effexor®
Neuropathic pain can be very difficult to treat and traditional pain medications are often ineffective.
Antidepressant medications used as adjunctive agents have been shown to be very beneficial in the management of
chronic pain. While antidepressants have some potential side effects, they are less addictive than narcotic pain
relievers and do not cause the gastrointestinal problems often associated with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory
drugs. With the added benefit treating the depression often caused from chronic pain, antidepressants are an
effective weapon in the war against chronic neuropathic pain.
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