title: [Lofepramine: a comparative clinical study with amitriptyline].
abstract: Lofepramine, a new tricycle antidepressant, is compared with amitriptyline in a double-blind study. A brief pharmacological description of the drug is made emphasizing its low toxicity and anticholinergic peripheral effects, high plasmatic concentration levels and good tolerance and elimination in comparison with some other known  tricycle antidepressants. Sixty depressive outpatients of a Mental Health Service in Lima, 5 male and 55 female, aging 16 to 65, 29 endogenous and 31 neurotic were studied with both drugs in a equimolar dosage. Through the chi square test, no statistical significance was found in maximal therapeutic response, Hamilton Depression Rating Scale scores, type of depression, and side-effects xerostomy which is lesser with lofepramine. A discussion of these results is made and it is concluded that in the present study lofepramine compared with amitriptyline has a similar therapeutic effect. Though not statistically significant, lofepramine seems to be better for neurotic depression and patients sensitive to anticholinergic side-effects.
mesh_terms: D000275:Adjustment Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000639:Amitriptyline / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003863:Depression / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003984:Dibenzazepines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008127:Lofepramine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
chemical_list: D003984:Dibenzazepines; D000639:Amitriptyline; D008127:Lofepramine
vernacular_title: Lofepramina: estudio clínico comparativo con amitriptilina.