title: Relationship between tricyclic antidepressant plasma levels and clinical response in patients treated with desipramine or doxepin.
abstract: A study examining the relationship between plasma levels of tricyclic antidepressants (TCA), clinical response, and side effects was performed in patients with major affective disorder. Patients received either desmethylimipramine (DMI) (150-200 mg/day) or doxepin (200 mg/day) for 4 weeks. No significant correlations were found between plasma levels and either clinical response or side effects when males and females were analyzed together. A significant correlation between plasma levels and response was found in females taking desmethylimipramine. Support for the finding that females may show a stronger relationship than males between clinical response and plasma TCA levels is provided from analysis of previous studies in the literature.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003891:Desipramine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004316:Doxepin / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011897:Random Allocation; D012737:Sex Factors
chemical_list: D004316:Doxepin; D003891:Desipramine