title: Nortriptyline and weight change in depressed patients over 60.
abstract: Weight change in pounds and body mass index was documented in 29 geriatric patients with recurrent depression successfully treated with nortriptyline over a 30-week period of acute and continuation therapy (925 patient-weeks of nortriptyline treatment). Weight before index episode as documented by physician records, and weight at three points (beginning of treatment, end of acute therapy, and end of continuation therapy) were recorded. Weight changes over the interval between these times and net weight change over the entire interval were then calculated. Only five patients (17.2%) gained a clinically significant (greater than 10 lb) amount of weight during treatment, ranging from 10 to 43 lb above premorbid weights. Seven of 29 patients (24.1%) showed a net weight loss below premorbid levels (maximum loss 12.5 lb), and 6 patients (20.7%) showed no weight change. The pattern of weight gain was variable; no correlations were found between initially high body mass index and weight gain over the entire interval. These data suggest that nortriptyline is apparently not a potent weight promoter in this group.
authors.affiliation: Depression Prevention Program, Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic, Pittsburgh, PA 15213.
authors.forename: C F
authors.initials: CF
authors.lastname: Paradis
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Stack
authors.forename: C J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: George
authors.forename: M D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Miller
authors.forename: B G
authors.initials: BG
authors.lastname: Pollock
authors.forename: A H
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Rifai
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mazumdar
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Perel
authors.forename: C F
authors.initials: CF
authors.lastname: Reynolds
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects*; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D009661:Nortriptyline / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
chemical_list: D009661:Nortriptyline