Trial of amitriptyline for relief of pain in amputees: results of a randomized controlled study

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate whether amitriptyline is more effective than placebo in improving phantom limb pain or residual limb pain.

Design: Randomized controlled trial of amitriptyline for 6 weeks.

Setting: University hospital.

Participants: Thirty-nine persons with amputation-related pain lasting more than 6 months.

Intervention: Six-week trial of amitriptyline (titrated up to 125 mg/d) or an active placebo (benztropine mesylate).

Main outcome measures: Analyses were conducted to examine whether there was a medication group effect on the primary outcomes (average pain intensity) and secondary outcome measures (disability, satisfaction with life, handicap).

Results: No significant differences were found between the treatment groups in outcome variables when controlling for initial pain scores.

Conclusions: Our findings do not support the use of amitriptyline in the treatment of postamputation pain.