Plasma trazodone concentrations and clinical response in elderly depressed patients: a preliminary study.
Steady-state plasma levels of trazodone were determined by HPLC in 11 elderly depressed patients who underwent a 5-week pharmacological treatment with 150 mg/day trazodone in three oral administrations. Clinical antidepressant response, assessed with three different clinical improvement criteria, was significantly correlated with steady-state plasma trazodone concentrations. Moreover, the steady-state plasma trazodone concentration of 650 ng/ml was identified as the threshold value for a good antidepressant response. No correlation was found between the occurrence of side effects and plasma levels of trazodone.
Department of Psychiatry, Mental Health Service U.S.L. 41, Naples, Italy.
P
P
Monteleone
G
G
Gnocchi
G
G
Delrio
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000368:Aged; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D014196:Trazodone / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics
D014196:Trazodone