Pharmacokinetics of amitriptyline in the elderly.
The pharmacokinetics of amitryptyline (AMI) have been evaluated in six healthy elderly volunteers (72-83 years of age) after a single dose of 125 mg of AMI-HCl. AMI was absorbed rather slowly (mean peak time 10.4 +/- 1.6 hrs) but very efficiently (F: 0.59-0.75). The rate of formation of nortriptyline (NT) as well as the appearance clearance values (0.18-0.45 l/h/kg) of AMI were significantly lower than those previously described for younger subjects. Reversible alterating ECG were observed in 5 cases concomitantly with AMI peak plasma concentrations. The results indicate the desirability of reduced and/or divided daily doses of AMI in the elderly.
D000368:Aged; D000639:Amitriptyline / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology; D004562:Electrocardiography; D006439:Hemodynamics / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D007700:Kinetics; D009661:Nortriptyline / Q000097:blood
D000639:Amitriptyline; D009661:Nortriptyline