Antidepressants can be prescribed for chronic TMJ pain, based on both known efficacy in neuropathic and musculoskeletal pains, including fibromyalgia, and their beneficial effects on comorbid depression and sleep disturbance.Examples:tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs; amitriptyline, nortriptyline (Pamelor), desipramine (Nopramin))selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs; citalopram (Celexa), escitalopram (Lexapro), fluoxetine (Prozac), paroxetine (Paxil, Pexeva) sertraline (Zoloft))serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs; desvenlafaxine (Pristiq), duloxetine (Cymbalta, Irenka), venlafaxine (Effexor), milnacipran (Svaella)Evidence: Well-controlled clinical trials are still needed to assess the potential benefits of antidepressants in TMJ patients. TCAs and SNRIs are generally found to have better efficacy in chronic pain than SSRIs.Caution: Though potentially effective, TCAs carry some side effects, including constipation, urinary retention, dizziness, low blood pressure when standing, and sedation. TCAs are contraindicated for cardiac and elderly patients. SSRIs and SNRIs have similar side effects, such as dizziness, nausea, dry mouth, insomnia, sweating, headache, tiredness, anxiety and sexual dysfunction. SSRIs also have the potential to cause increased bruxism and exacerbate pain. If you notice increased teeth grinding/bruxing when taking antidepressants, talk to your doctor who prescribed the medication as it could be caused by the antidepressant. , For many people, short-term use of over-the-counter pain medications or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen, may provide temporary relief from jaw and muscle discomfort., Treatment options for pain in your jaw joint and in the muscles that control jaw movement can include pain management, medical therapies and surgery..