[The treatment of chronic pain with psychotropic drugs]

The results of long experience with psychotropic drugs in the treatment of chronic and severe pain resistant to ordinary therapy are reported. In 103 in-patients with chronic and severe pain caused by neurological conditions and treated with a combination of thymoleptics and neuroleptics, 82% showed a marked improvement. These encouraging results are compared with the results of other studies published in this field. The pharmacological basis of this good action is briefly discussed, together with the advantages of the use of psychotropic drugs and especially the combination of thymoleptics and neuroleptics. A clearcut dosage schedule for in- and out-patients using imipramine (Tofranil) or chlorimipramine (Anafranil) and haloperidol (Haldol) is established.