Do SSRIs have a beneficial effect on chronic pain like the older tricyclic antidepressants sometimes do?
There is only limited data on which to judge this, but it would appear that the SSRIs are not helpful in the treatment of chronic pain that is unaccompanied by depression. The beneficial effects of tricyclics in chronic pain appear to be mediated by the enhancement of noradrenalin activity. Thus it is unsurprising that a number of studies have also found venlafaxine to be beneficial in the treatment of chronic pain, and this drug is a useful alternative to the tricyclics when they are not well tolerated.
