The interaction between alpha-methyl-dopa and tricyclic antidepressants.
The central hypotensive action of alpha-methyl-DOPA is antagonized by tricyclic antidepressants like desipramine and imipramine. This antagonism has been demostrated in chloralose-anaesthetized cats. The drugs to be tested were infused into the left vertebral artery. The antagonism pProbably takes place in the pons-medulla region of the CNS. Probably, the alpha-adrenolytic properties of the tricyclic antidepressants bring about the blockade of central alpha-adrenergic receptors that are stimulated by alpha-methyl-noradrenaline, the biotransformation product of alpha-methyl-DOPA.
D000818:Animals; D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D002415:Cats; D003891:Desipramine / Q000494:pharmacology; D004347:Drug Interactions; D005260:Female; D007099:Imipramine / Q000494:pharmacology; D008297:Male; D008750:Methyldopa / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*
D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic; D008750:Methyldopa; D007099:Imipramine; D003891:Desipramine