title: Comparative effects of fluoxetine and amitriptyline on cardiac function.
abstract: 1. The effects of fluoxetine and amitriptyline on the electrocardiogram (ECG) and systolic time intervals (STIs) were measured during a double-blind parallel-group study in depressed patients. 2. ECGs and STIs were measured after a 1 week placebo run-in, following 1 week's treatment with fluoxetine 40 mg daily or amitriptyline 100 mg daily, and then after 3 weeks' treatment with fluoxetine 60-80 mg daily or amitriptyline 150-200 mg daily. 3. Fluoxetine had no effect on the ECG or STIs at any dose. Amitriptyline 150-200 mg daily shortened the sinus cycle length by a mean of 12%, prolonged the PR interval by 8% and the QRS duration by 10%. Amitriptyline did not significantly alter the STIs.
authors.affiliation: Clinical Pharmacology Group, Southampton General Hospital.
authors.forename: J W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Upward
authors.forename: J G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Edwards
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Goldie
authors.forename: D G
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Waller
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000639:Amitriptyline / Q000097:blood / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005260:Female; D005473:Fluoxetine / Q000097:blood / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006321:Heart / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
chemical_list: D005473:Fluoxetine; D000639:Amitriptyline