Tricyclic-antidepressant-induced delirium and plasma drug concentration.
Fourteen patients receiving routine doses of amitriptyline developed plasma drug concentrations above 300 ng/ml. Of the 7 patients with plasma levels above 450 ng/ml, 6 developed a drug-induced delirium as opposed to none of the 7 with levels below 450 ng/ml. Thus, this adverse effect could be avoided by monitoring levels and reducing dosage when appropriate.
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000639:Amitriptyline / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000097:blood; D003693:Delirium / Q000139:chemically induced*; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
D000639:Amitriptyline