Rowbotham 2005

Methods	Randomised, double‐blind, parallel group study Titration to maximum tolerated dose over 3 weeks, then stable dose for further 3 weeks
Participants	Postherpetic neuralgia for >3 months; normal cognition and communication ability; never had adequate trial of antidepressant Exclusions: previous withdrawal due to antidepressant adverse event; other more severe pain; medical contra‐indication N = 47 (38 completed) M 20; F 27 Mean age 72 years (range 40 ‐ 84)
Interventions	Desipramine 25 mg ‐ 150 mg daily Amitriptyline 25 mg ‐ 150 mg daily Fluoxetine 10 mg ‐ 60 mg daily
Outcomes	PI: Visual Analogue Scale of pain intensity obtained weekly PR: 6‐point scale, from 0 = worse to 5 = complete relief
Notes	Oxford Quality Score: R = 1; DB = 1; W = 1. Total = 3/5
Risk of bias
Bias	Authors' judgement	Support for judgement
Random sequence generation (selection bias)	Unclear risk	Details of randomisation method not reported
Allocation concealment (selection bias)	Unclear risk	Not reported
Blinding of participants and personnel (performance bias) All outcomes	Unclear risk	Details of blinding not reported Probably satisfactory as it is stated that placebo capsules were used to maintain the dose of 2 capsules twice daily
Blinding of outcome assessment (detection bias) All outcomes	Unclear risk	Details of blinding not reported, probably satisfactory
Incomplete outcome data (attrition bias) All outcomes	Unclear risk	Imputation not reported. ITT analysis is similar to completer analysis
Size	High risk	< 50 participants per treatment arm (≤ 47)