Anticholinergic activity of two tricyclic antidepressants.
Using a double-blind crossover Latin square design, the authors evaluated the peripheral anticholinergic and central nervous system effects of three dose levels of two tricyclic antidepressants in female volunteers. Results showed that 5 hours after drug administration, desipramine (50 and 100 mg) caused significantly less reduction in salivation than did amitriptyline. Amitriptyline produced more sedation (Clyde Mood Scale) and a greater number of subjective complaints than did desipramine. These results are consistent with anticholinergic profiles from animal experiments and suggest that clinically meaningful differences may exist among tricyclic antidepressants.
D000328:Adult; D000639:Amitriptyline / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003891:Desipramine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives; D010276:Parasympatholytics; D012472:Salivation / Q000187:drug effects; D012894:Sleep Stages / Q000187:drug effects; D013329:Structure-Activity Relationship; D013997:Time Factors
D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives; D010276:Parasympatholytics; D000639:Amitriptyline; D003891:Desipramine