title: Preliminary data on the relationship between nortriptyline plasma level and response in depressed children.
abstract: Twenty-two subjects 6-12 years old who met Research Diagnostic Criteria and DSM-III criteria for major depressive disorder received a fixed daily dose of nortriptyline during an 8-week protocol. Weekly plasma levels were measured; the raters performing behavioral assessments were blind to these levels. There was a highly significant difference between the mean steady-state plasma levels and the milligram-per-kilogram doses of the responders and nonresponders. The data suggest that the lower limit of the therapeutic range of nortriptyline in children (over 60 ng/ml) is similar to that reported for adults. The disadvantages of the use of a milligram-per-kilogram dose rather than a pharmacokinetic approach are discussed.
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D002648:Child; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009661:Nortriptyline / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood*; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
chemical_list: D009661:Nortriptyline