| abstract |
When administered locally, tricyclic, second generation and third generation antidepressants, such as amitriptyline and desipramine, have been shown to produce analgesia in a subject having a site of local discomfort. The analgesic effect of such antidepressants, when administered locally is equal to that achieved by systemic administration and lasts longer. The invention provides compositions containing tricyclic, second generation and third generation antidepressants for local administration, such as those formulated for topical application, or for injection in slow release delivery vehicles, and methods for their use for producing local analgesia. |