A clinical trial of Tofranil in rheumatic pain in general practice

A multicentre double-blind clinical trial was conducted in general practice in which imipramine (Tofranil) was added to existing standard analgesic anti-rheumatic therapy in patients suffering from osteo-arthritis, rheumatoidtero-arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis or ankylosing spondylitis. Twelve doctors admitted sixty-five patients to the trial. Fifty-five patients completed an eitht-week treatment period. According to clinical assessments imipramine brough about statistically significant improvements in pain, stiffness and grip strength and, according to patient self-rating, significant improvement in pain and stiffness. On the basis of a global assessment patients showed a highly significant preference for imipramine compared with placebo as adjunctive therapy.