Antidepressants fail to relieve back pain and arthritis, study discovers

ANTIDEPRESSANTS do not relieve back ache, according to new research.

And scientists have revealed they are also “largely ineffective” for osteoarthritis.

Doctors commonly prescribe antidepressants to patients who are suffering pain.

They are believed to target the central nervous system, reducing signals between the brain and spinal cord.

However, the study found any improvements to back pain were too small to be worthwhile.

But the scientists added that for osteoarthritis a small benefit could be ruled out. And the study’s lead author added that people need help to live better with their pain, without prescription drugs.

Dr Giovanni Ferreira said antidepressants were taken by 7.2 million people in the UK, making them the most commonly prescribed medicine, more than the 5.6 million who use painkillers.

They are being increasingly given to treat pain in British children and teenagers, with numbers almost tripling between 2003 and 2014.

Dr Ferreira said: “Prescriptions for antidepressants are increasing worldwide for a range of indications.”

His team pooled data from 33 trials from around the world involving 5,318 participants.

Dr Ferreira said: “Antidepressant drugs are largely ineffective for back and osteoarthritis pain, despite being widely used for these conditions.”

Common side effects can include nausea, weight gain, loss of sex drive, tiredness and insomnia. Clinical practice guidelines in the UK recommends antidepressants for chronic back pain and hip and knee osteoarthritis.