Effects of a controlled-release formulation of trazodone on psychomotor and autonomic functions in healthy volunteers: comparison with trazodone (conventional formulation), amitriptyline and placebo.
Eight healthy male volunteers participated in four experimental sessions. In each session the subjects ingested a single dose of one of the following drugs: trazodone (controlled-release formulation), trazodone (conventional formulation), amitriptyline and placebo. Both trazodone and amitriptyline reduced subjectively rated alertness and increased digit cancellation time, and amitriptyline also reduced critical flicker fusion frequency. Both antidepressants reduced salivation, trazodone also caused miosis. There were no consistent differences between the effects of the two formulations of trazodone. The results of the psychological tests are indicative of the sedative properties of the antidepressants. It is likely that the reduction in salivation and pupil diameter by trazodone reflect alpha-adrenoceptor blockade, whereas the reduction in salivation by amitriptyline may be due to both cholinoceptor and alpha-adrenoceptor blockade.
Longmore
J
J
Department of Psychiatry, University of Manchester, U.K.
Banjar
W
W
Bradshaw
C M
CM
Szabadi
E
E
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000339:Affect / Q000187:drug effects; D000639:Amitriptyline / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001341:Autonomic Nervous System / Q000187:drug effects*; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004341:Drug Evaluation; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000187:drug effects*; D011680:Pupil / Q000187:drug effects; D012472:Salivation / Q000187:drug effects; D013997:Time Factors; D014196:Trazodone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*
D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D000639:Amitriptyline; D014196:Trazodone