Amitriptyline relieves diabetic neuropathy pain in patients with normal or depressed mood

In a randomized, double-blind crossover study, 29 patients with painful diabetic neuropathy received 6 weeks of amitriptyline and 6 weeks of an "active" placebo that mimicked amitriptyline side effects. Amitriptyline was superior to placebo in relieving pain in weeks 3 through 6. Both stea...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inNeurology Vol. 37; no. 4; p. 589
Main Authors Max, M B, Culnane, M, Schafer, S C, Gracely, R H, Walther, D J, Smoller, B, Dubner, R
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published United States 01.04.1987
Subjects
Adult
Aged
Amitriptyline - adverse effects
Amitriptyline - therapeutic use
Depression - drug therapy
Diabetic Neuropathies - drug therapy
Diabetic Neuropathies - psychology
Double-Blind Method
Female
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Palliative Care
Random Allocation
Online AccessGet more information

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Summary:In a randomized, double-blind crossover study, 29 patients with painful diabetic neuropathy received 6 weeks of amitriptyline and 6 weeks of an "active" placebo that mimicked amitriptyline side effects. Amitriptyline was superior to placebo in relieving pain in weeks 3 through 6. Both steady, burning pain and lancinating pains were relieved. Patients able to tolerate higher amitriptyline doses reported greater relief, through the maximum dose of 150 mg nightly. Amitriptyline analgesia was similar in depressed and nondepressed subgroups and was not associated with mood improvement. We conclude that amitriptyline relieves pain in diabetic neuropathy; this effect is independent of mood elevation.
ISSN:0028-3878
DOI:10.1212/WNL.37.4.589