According to the study published in the journal BMJ, many individuals are unaware that many antidepressants can also be used to manage chronic pain difficulties. Antidepressants are recommended even if a person does not have a mood disorder such as depression to help manage chronic pain. Over time, they have become more well-liked. Researchers from the University of Warwick and other universities across the world discovered that some classes of antidepressants were successful in treating specific types of adult pain disorders while others were either ineffective or their efficacy was unknown.

For the first time, the study assessed the safety and efficacy of antidepressants in the treatment of chronic pain and compiled all the available research in one place. According to the researchers, the findings demonstrate that before prescribing antidepressants for the treatment of chronic pain, doctors must carefully weigh all available data.

In the study, 26 systematic reviews with more than 25,000 participants were reviewed from 2012 to 2022. Except for antidepressants, the use of painkillers is not advised in a 2021 guideline for managing chronic primary pain published by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). The recommended antidepressants for adults with chronic primary pain include amitriptyline, citalopram, duloxetine, fluoxetine, paroxetine, and sertraline.

Dr. Giovanni Ferreira, the study′s lead author from the Institute for Musculoskeletal Health and Sydney Musculoskeletal Health at the University of Sydney, stated that antidepressant prescription for pain requires a more nuanced approach. He stated that people should not rely only on painkillers for pain relief because there are other available treatments for pain. He also advised that to discover more about the choices that might be suitable for the individual, they should speak with a health expert. 

(Source: https://theprint.in/health/researchers-find-out-if-antidepressants-are-effective-in-treating-chronic-pain/1351033/ )