Trimipramine in rheumatoid arthritis: a randomized double-blind trial in relieving pain and joint tenderness

The effect of low-dose trimipramine (25 to 75 mg/day) on joint pain and tenderness in 36 patients with rheumatoid arthritis was studied in a randomized double-blind trial carried out over a period of 12 weeks. The patients were pre-selected to include only patients who were depressed on a 'self-rating depression scale' but had no evidence of fibrositic 'trigger-points'. The results showed that joint pain and tenderness were significantly reduced with trimipramine, but depression scores remained unchanged.