Although there are many types of antidepressants, selective serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SSNRIs) and tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) are the ones most likely to relieve pain. They appear to be especially effective in treating burning or searing pain related to nerve damage (neuropathic pain), which may affect patients with conditions including diabetes, shingles, postherpetic neuralgia, stroke and spinal cord injuries but can also provide significant pain relief for a number of other types of pain.  Other symptoms associated with neuropathic pain include numbness, “pins and needles” sensation (paresthesia) and pain that is stabbing, shooting or radiating.

Other conditions for which these antidepressants also appear to relieve and, in some cases, prevent pain include:

• Chronic musculoskeletal pain syndromes such as fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome and myofascial pain syndrome
  
  
• Headaches including migraines and tension headaches
  
  
• Cranial neuralgias
  
  
• Back pain
  
  
• Arthritis and other sources of joint pain

• Some types of chest pain, abdominal pain and pelvic pain
  
  
• Cancer pain

Studies have produced mixed findings on the effects of antidepressants on bone health. For example, depression has been linked to decreased bone mass, and some research has suggested antidepressants may slow bone loss, thus reducing the risk of osteoporosis and fractures. Yet other research has found that selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) might increase the risk of fractures.