Will the atypical antipsychotics be analgesics?

Pridmore, Saxby
Samilowitz, Hazel
Oberoi, Gojinder

Psychiatrist, Pain Management Unit, Royal Hobart Hospital, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia (Pridmore)
Psychiatrist, Pittsburgh, Pensylvania, USA (Samilowitz)
Director, Pain Management Unit, Royal Hobart Hospital, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia (Oberoi)

Correspondence: Professor S. Pridmore, Department of Psychiatry, Royal Hobart Hospital, Hobart, Tas, Australia. Email: [email protected]

Australasian Psychiatry 11(1):p 59-61, March 2003.

Objective

To review the literature for evidence suggestive of a potential role for the atypical antipsychotics that are available in Australia in the management of pain.

Method

PubMed was searched for appropriate papers, and drug companies were invited to provide information.

Results

Two preclinical and six clinical reports suggested that the atypical antipsychotics may have analgesic properties.

Conclusions

There is justification for further trials of atypical antipsychotic medications in chronic pain. Should such studies bear fruit, psychiatrists are well qualified to use these medications in the management of chronic pain.