Amitriptyline stimulates weight gain in hemodialysis patients.
Sixteen chronic hemodialysis patients were enrolled in a double blind 13 week study of amitriptyline vs. placebo in non-crossover design. Patients receiving active drug reached therapeutic serum concentrations at doses of 50 to 200 mg/day, but antidepressant effect was not demonstrable. Patients receiving active drug had slightly greater fluctuation in weight pre- vs. Post-dialysis and had slightly greater postural hypotension post-dialysis than control patients. The trend in post-dialysis weight indicated gain in the active drug group and loss in the placebo group; this difference was highly statistically significant. Weight gain in depression and anorexia nervosa patients treated with amitriptyline is reviewed and it is suggested that amitriptyline may be a useful agent in stimulating appetite in other diseases also.
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000639:Amitriptyline / Q000097:blood / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000856:Anorexia Nervosa / Q000188:drug therapy; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003863:Depression / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009661:Nortriptyline / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006435:Renal Dialysis / Q000009:adverse effects
D000639:Amitriptyline; D009661:Nortriptyline