Antidepressant prescription for chronic primary pain

for people aged 18 years and over

tests per year, UK, not stated

“Consider an antidepressant, either amitriptyline, citalopram, duloxetine, fluoxetine, paroxetine or sertraline, for people aged 18 years and over to manage chronic primary pain, after a full discussion of the benefits and harms.”

NICE NG193, Chronic pain (primary and secondary) in over 16s: assessment of all chronic pain and management of chronic primary pain, section 1.2 Managing chronic primary pain, 2021-04

Kind of source

Clinical guideline

Read on

2026-11-06

Daily check

Quote found at the source on 2026-11-06

What to know

Chronic primary pain only; opioids, gabapentinoids and benzodiazepines should not be started for it (1.2.10).

About

Chronic painMedication history