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Antidepressants in the management of cancer pain

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Abstract

Most patients who have been diagnosed with cancer will experience pain at some point during the course of their disease. Often, opioid analgesics are not enough to completely alleviate the patient’s pain and the selection of appropriate adjunct analgesic agents is critical. This article reviews the mechanisms of action and analgesic effects of several classes of antidepressants to enable the clinician to select the appropriate agent for the patient.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Investigational Drug Section, Cancer Therapy Research Center, 7979 Wurzbach, Room 254, 78229, San Antonio, TX, USA

    Theresa A. Mays PharmD, BCOP

Authors
  1. Theresa A. Mays PharmD, BCOP
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Mays, T.A. Antidepressants in the management of cancer pain. Current Science Inc 5, 227–236 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11916-001-0036-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11916-001-0036-8

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