Lack of evidence on antidepressants for chronic pain, say experts

The new study included 176 trials and almost 30,000 patients

The authors urged people not to come off their drugs but to speak to a GP if they had concerns (Alamy/PA)

Hundreds of thousands of people in the UK are being prescribed antidepressants for chronic pain without sufficient evidence they work, researchers have said.

In the largest study of its kind, experts looked at medicines commonly prescribed on the NHS including amitriptyline, duloxetine, fluoxetine (Prozac), citalopram, paroxetine (Seroxat) and sertraline.

Amitriptyline is one of the most commonly prescribed antidepressants for chronic pain in England, with the NHS website saying it can treat nerve pain, some back pain and can help prevent migraines.