Effect of 3 weeks treatment with yohimbine on salivary secretion in healthy volunteers and in depressed patients treated with tricyclic antidepressants.
The effect of yohimbine treatment (4 mg three times daily) for 3 weeks on salivary secretion was investigated. In healthy volunteers, acute administration of yohimbine increased salivary volume within 1 h to a similar extent before and at the end of the treatment period. In depressed patients treated with tricyclic antidepressants (and exhibiting a reduced salivary flow), yohimbine also acutely increased salivary volume. In contrast, the alpha 2-adrenoceptor antagonist failed to modify resting values measured in the morning (i.e. 10 and 14 h after the last administration in healthy volunteers and depressed patients respectively). This result indicates that alpha 2-adrenoceptor antagonists may have a potential therapeutic use in the treatment of dry mouth caused by tricyclic antidepressant drugs.
Laboratoire de Pharmacologie Médicale et Clinique, Inserm U317, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire, Faculté de Médecine, Toulouse, France.
H
H
Bagheri
L
L
Schmitt
M
M
Berlan
J L
JL
Montastruc
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000317:Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003863:Depression / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012463:Saliva / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D015016:Yohimbine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*
D000317:Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists; D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic; D015016:Yohimbine