Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors and Their Role in Chronic Pain Management

Abstract

Serotonin has a particular place in the modulation of pain. Experimental studies have described 5-HT1-7 receptors and their effects on facilitation or inhibition of nociceptive input. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotoninnorepinephrine reuptake inhibitors showed efficient and safer than tricyclic antidepressants in neuropathic pain. Although there is evidence regarding the beneficial impact of SSRIs in the multimodal acute pain management, studies are still searching for the potentially favorable effect of these drugs in the prevention of chronic postoperative pain. The scope of this chapter would be to update the knowledge regarding serotonin involving in pain pathways and to highlight the importance and contribution of serotonin reuptake inhibitors in the multimodal pain management schemes.

Efficacy of pregabalin as a monotherapy versus combined pregabalin and milnacipran in the management of fibromyalgia

“…6 Duloxetine and MLN are dual reuptake inhibitors which are proposed to increase norepinephrine and serotonin signaling in the descending pain pathways, resulting in inhibition of pain signaling in the CNS. 7 These drugs are used to relieve pain, fatigue, and sleep problems;…”