Antidepressants
Antidepressants commonly used for pain treatment include Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs; e.g., citalopram, paroxetine, sertraline, fluoxetine), Tricyclic antidepressants (e.g., amitriptyline, doxepin, imipramine, nortiptyline, desipramine), and Selective Serotonin and Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SSNRIs; e.g., venlafaxine, duloxetine). Although not designed to treat pain, antidepressants are often prescribed for chronic pain patients, with or without depression. These drugs work by increasing chemicals that prevent pain signals from reaching the brain. These medications are usually prescribed at a lower dose than would be used to treat depression. They also need some time to build up in the body before they are effective. Sedation, although considered a side effect, can be helpful for those with chronic pain that suffer from sleep problems.