OBJECTIVE:

To assess the effectiveness of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) in the management of chronic pain.

METHODS:

Randomized, controlled trials of SSRIs in the management of chronic pain were identified by searching MEDLINE from 1966 to 1997 and by contacting the manufacturers of SSRIs available in the United States.

MAIN RESULTS:

Nineteen studies were identified, including 10 on the treatment of headache, 3 on diabetic neuropathy, 3 on fibromyalgia, and 3 on mixed-chronic pain. SSRIs were consistently helpful for mixed-chronic pain. Results were conflicting for migraine headache, tension headache, diabetic neuropathy, and fibromyalgia.

CONCLUSIONS:

SSRIs appear to be beneficial for mixed-chronic pain. It is unclear, from the available evidence, whether SSRIs are beneficial for migraine headaches, tension headaches, diabetic neuropathy, or fibromyalgia. For those patients it may be reasonable to reserve SSRIs for those who fall to respond to other medications or who are intolerant of their side effects.