A double-blind controlled study of a serotonin uptake inhibitor (Zimelidine) versus placebo in chronic pain patients

Abstract

Patients (40) with pain syndromes of both organic and psychogenic origin of at least 6 mo. duration were included in a double-blind controlled study of a new rather selective serotonin uptake inhibitor, Zimelidine, vs. placebo. Patients in the Zimelidine group experienced significantly more pain relief and tended to reduce their need for analgesics more often than the patients in the placebo group. In the Zimelidine group 4 patients were excluded due to nausea and intestinal troubles vs. only 1 patient in the placebo group. Among the patients who completed the trial the side-effects were mild.