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Neuropathic Antidepressant Medications

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Pain Management and Palliative Care

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Abstract

Antidepressants are a primary treatment option for many chronic pain conditions even when depression is not a presenting symptom. Multiple classes have proven efficacy in the treatment of neuropathic pain conditions such as diabetic neuropathy as well as fibromyalgia and migraines. TCAs are the most commonly used along side with SSRI and SNRI. Second-generation antidepressant drugs have improved side effect profile and tolerance verses first-generation antidepressants. MAOIs have multiple drug reactions, and severe adverse effects and so should be avoided. The use of antidepressants can lower the overall opioid dose required in management of chronic pain.

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Abbreviations

ARDS:

Acute respiratory distress syndrome

ASA:

Aspirin

CNS:

Central nervous system

EKG:

Electrocardiogram

FM:

Fibromyalgia

GABA:

Gamma-aminobutyric acid

GI:

Gastrointestinal

5-HT:

5-Hydroxytryptamine

HTN:

Hypertension

INR:

International normalized ratio

MAOIs:

Monoamine oxidase inhibitors

NMDA:

N-Methyl-d-aspartate

NSAIDs:

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs

SNRI:

Serotonin–norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor

SSRIs:

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors

TCA:

Tricyclic antidepressants

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. 1407 Tower Dr., Edgewater, NJ, 07020, USA

    Jignyasa Desai D.O.

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  1. Jignyasa Desai D.O.
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Correspondence to Jignyasa Desai D.O. .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Interventional Pain Management, New York University , Langone Medical Center, New York, New York, USA

    Kimberly A. Sackheim

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Desai, J. (2015). Neuropathic Antidepressant Medications. In: Sackheim, K. (eds) Pain Management and Palliative Care. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-2462-2_12

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-2462-2_12

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