Effects of Amitriptyline for the Treatment of Pain on Driving Performance and Cognition.

The present study was designed to determine the effects of nocturnally administered 25 mg amitriptyline, compared to placebo, after single (Day 1, acute effects) and repeated (Day 15, subchronic effects) administration on driving performance in neuropathic pain patients. In addition to the on-the-road driving test, laboratory tests measuring driving-related skills were administered. Moreover, effects of amitriptlyine on an attentional capacity task were tested using Event-Related Potentials (ERPs). It was hypothesized that nocturnally administered 25 mg amitriptyline might affect driving performance negatively after acute, but not after subchronic treatment.