A controlled study of amitriptyline in the treatment of chronic pain

This paper reports a study in which a double-blind controlled cross-over study of amitriptyline vs. placebo was carried out in a group of patients referred to a multidisciplinary pain clinic for the management of chronic intractable pain for which no substantial organic cause could be demonstrated. Of 52 patients entering the 12-week trial, 20 withdrew before completion. No differences were found in terms of global improvement on either agent. Subjective reports indicated a greater reduction in pain at 2 and 4 weeks on amitriptyline, but no difference at 6 weeks. None of the baseline measures was predictive of response.