Does addition of low-dose flupentixol enhance the analgetic effects of low-dose amitriptyline in somatoform pain disorder?

Pain. 1991 Oct;47(1):25-30. doi: 10.1016/0304-3959(91)90007-K.

Abstract

In a double-blind, crossover study, the effects of 75 mg amitriptyline alone during 5 weeks on pain intensity were compared with the effects of a combination of 75 mg amitriptyline and 3 mg flupentixol during 5 weeks in 34 patients with somatoform pain disorder. Both treatments resulted in a statistically significant reduction in pain. However, pain reduction in the combined treatment did not differ from that in the treatment with amitriptyline as a single drug. Neither tardive dyskinesias nor other serious side effects were observed. The results do not support the clinical practice of adding low-dose neuroleptics to low-dose antidepressants in the treatment of somatoform pain disorder.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Comparative Study
  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Amitriptyline / therapeutic use*
  • Depressive Disorder / complications
  • Depressive Disorder / drug therapy
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Drug Synergism
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • Female
  • Flupenthixol / therapeutic use*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Pain / drug therapy*
  • Pain / psychology
  • Pain Measurement
  • Psychiatric Status Rating Scales

Substances

  • Amitriptyline
  • Flupenthixol