title: Saliva secretion following long-term antidepressant treatment with nortriptyline controlled by plasma levels.
abstract: Eight patients undergoing antidepressant therapy with nortriptyline for 1--4 years were investigated. The period of the investigation was 7 weeks and included a 2-week placebo period, blind for the patients. Total saliva secretion measurement, the nortriptyline plasma level, and signs and symptoms of depression and side effects were obtained once a week during the study. The results of the investigation were: (1) long-term treatment with nortriptyline is followed by hyposecretion or xerostomia, (2) the reduction of the secretion is reversible, (3) re-establishment of treatment with dosage leading to the same serum level of nortriptyline is immediately followed by a drop in saliva secretion, and (4) the changes in salivary secretion are useful as an indicator of side effects. The practical importance of the investigation is discussed.
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy; D002254:Carbonates / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009661:Nortriptyline / Q000097:blood / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010919:Placebos; D012463:Saliva / Q000378:metabolism*; D012472:Salivation / Q000187:drug effects; D012890:Sleep / Q000187:drug effects; D012964:Sodium; D013997:Time Factors; D014987:Xerostomia / Q000139:chemically induced*
chemical_list: D002254:Carbonates; D010919:Placebos; D012964:Sodium; D009661:Nortriptyline; D001205:Ascorbic Acid