DOES ADDITION OF LOW-DOSE FLUPENTIXOL ENHANCE THE ANALGESIC EFFECTS OF LOW-DOSE AMITRIPTYLINE IN SOMATOFORM PAIN DISORDER

In a double-blind, crossover study, the effects of 75 mg amitriptyline alone during 5 weeks on pain intensity were compared with the effects of a combination of 75 mg amitriptyline and 3 mg flupentixol during 5 weeks in 34 patients with somatoform pain disorder. Both treatments resulted in a statistically significant reduction in pain. However, pain reduction in the combined treatment did not differ from that in the treatment with amitriptyline as a single drug. Neither tardive dyskinesias nor other serious side effects were observed. The results do not support the clinical practice of adding low-dose neuroleptics to low-dose antidepressants in the treatment of somatoform pain disorder.