Relationship between age and tricyclic antidepressant plasma levels.
Older depressed patients treated with imipramine or amitriptyline developed higher steady-state plasma levels of imipramine, desipramine, and amitriptyline. In imipramine-treated patients this finding was associated with a decreased rate of drug elimination from plasma. These findings provide at least a partial explanation for the increased susceptibility of the older patient to tricyclic antidepressant side effects and also provide a pharmacological rationale for use of lower dosages in this age group.
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000639:Amitriptyline / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000097:blood; D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic / Q000097:blood* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001835:Body Weight; D003863:Depression / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy; D003891:Desipramine / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006207:Half-Life; D006321:Heart / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D007099:Imipramine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009661:Nortriptyline / Q000097:blood
D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic; D000639:Amitriptyline; D009661:Nortriptyline; D007099:Imipramine; D003891:Desipramine