The effect of amoxapine and imipramine on serum prolactin levels.
The effect of traditional tricyclic antidepressants on serum prolactin levels is controversial. In a five-week double-blind study of depressed outpatients, imipramine hydrochloride therapy did not lead to any significant change in serum prolactin levels. In contrast, amoxapine, a new antidepressant, produced significant elevations in serum prolactin levels in female and in male patients. Amoxapine may block dopamine receptors in central tuberoinfundibular pathways, which would account for its prolactin-elevating activity. On the other hand, imipramine and other traditional tricyclic antidepressants do not affect dopamine transmission, do not raise serum prolactin levels, and are not effective antipsychotic drugs.
D000328:Adult; D000657:Amoxapine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003989:Dibenzoxazepines / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007099:Imipramine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D011388:Prolactin / Q000097:blood*; D011446:Prospective Studies
D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic; D003989:Dibenzoxazepines; D011388:Prolactin; D007099:Imipramine; D000657:Amoxapine