title: Therapeutic monitoring of plasma concentrations of tricyclic antidepressants. Perspective of the clinical laboratory.
abstract: Therapeutic ranges for plasma concentrations of the tricyclic antidepressant drugs (TCAs) have not been established with the same degree of certainty as for other commonly monitored drugs, such as antiepileptic and cardioactive agents. Nevertheless, sufficient information is presently available to suggest that measurement of TCAs in appropriate circumstances can be helpful in managing the pharmacotherapy of depressed patients. Presently available techniques for measuring TCAs are time-consuming and costly. Clinical research relevant to understanding the significance of plasma levels, as well as their actual clinical application, would benefit from the development of a reliable, relatively convenient, and inexpensive assay.
mesh_terms: D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic / Q000097:blood* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002849:Chromatography, Gas; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D003863:Depression / Q000188:drug therapy; D008401:Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; D006801:Humans; D011863:Radioimmunoassay
chemical_list: D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic