Objective. To evaluate the usefulness of amitriptyline (AMI) in the tr
eatment of patients with urinary frequency or genital, pelvic, or supr
apubic pain syndromes. Methods. Charts of 22 patients (12 male and 10
female) without interstitial cystitis and having vague nonspecific uri
nary and pelvic or genital complaints were reviewed. All were treated
with AMI in doses ranging from 25 to 100 mg. Results. Eleven patients
became symptom-free, six showed significant improvement and five did n
ot respond. Four of the five could not tolerate the medication. Fiftee
n patients attempted tapering off the medication after 6 months, and 1
1 experienced an early return of symptoms. A therapeutic response was
again seen with retreatment. Conclusions. AMI is therapeutically usefu
l in vague voiding dysfunctions, especially in the presence of urinary
frequency or genital, pelvic, or suprapubic pain. It is effective for
the treatment of both men and women. The response is durable, but the
dose of the medication must be maintained. (C) 1998, Elsevier Science
Inc. All rights reserved.