Adrenergic agonists Antidepressants Antidepressants are most effective in treating continuous dysesthetic pain. Older agents, such as the tricyclic antidepressants seem to be the most effective analgesics. The analgesic effect is independent of antidepressant effect.
Antidepressants can worsen certain types of glaucoma and cause constipation.
Antidepressant doses commonly used in the treatment of cancer pain are listed below. The analgesic effect of the anticonvulsants is synergistic with antidepressants. Carbamazepine and phenytoin are the best studied, but more recently, gabapentin has been demonstrated to be effective in all forms of neuropathic pain . Anticonvulsant side-effects include sedation, hematologic dysfunction, hepatic dysfunction, coagulopathy, ataxia, and confusion TOP Benzodiazepines Benzodiazepines are useful for the treatment of anxiety and are not analgesic. They may be useful in relieving muscle spasms.