Abstract
The analgesic effects of amitriptyline was evaluated in 11 patients with chronic orofacial pain. The patients visited Fixed Prosthodontic Clinic, Okayama University Dental Hospital with the complaint ofchronic orofacial pain. They had been treated for more than six months with occlusal appliance or physicaltherapy before this study was started, and did not have good treatment results. Ten mg per day ofamitriptyline was started, and the amount was increased gradually depending on the patient's symptoms. Themaximum dose in this study was 70 mg in one patient and most of them were receiving under 50 mg/day. Theresults indicated that amitriptyline was effective in 9 of 11 patients. Two patients showed severe side effectsand stopped receiving it. It was concluded that amitriptyline is effective in the treatment of severe chronicorofacial pain. However, there were side effects with this medicine, so it is necessary to know the effects andside effects when administering it to orofacial pain patients.
