Could an antidepressant ease stubborn back pain?
NCT ID NCT05851976
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study tests whether duloxetine, a medication often used for depression, can reduce low back pain in people who didn't get better with NSAIDs like naproxen. About 120 adults from the emergency department will take either duloxetine or a placebo for two weeks. The goal is to see if duloxetine helps prevent ongoing pain three months later.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Duloxetine
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could offer a new option for people with low back pain who don't get relief from common anti-inflammatory drugs.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, early-phase exploratory study, so results may not apply widely. Duloxetine can cause side effects like nausea or dizziness, and it may not help everyone.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
-
Montefiore Medical Center
RECRUITINGThe Bronx, New York, 10467, United States
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