title: A prospective evaluation of the hepatotoxicity of lofepramine in the elderly.
abstract: Lofepramine has been acclaimed as an effective and safe antidepressant, particularly for the elderly. Recent case reports of hepatic toxicity following treatment with lofepramine, however, caused clinicians to question its use in a patient population who frequently have concomitant physical illness. From published data the incidence of serious side effects as well as the implications for its use remain unclear. In this study, 52 patients over the age of 65 years treated with lofepramine were monitored over a 12-week period. The results suggest that for the overwhelming majority of patients, any rise in liver enzyme activity is transient. It is recommended, however, that LFTs be monitored for the first 12 weeks of treatment.
authors.affiliation: Academic Department of Psychiatry, St Charles Hospital, London, UK.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Kelly
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Roche
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Naguib
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Webb
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Roberts
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Pitt
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase / Q000097:blood; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases / Q000097:blood; D056486:Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury / Q000209:etiology*; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008111:Liver Function Tests; D008127:Lofepramine / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D005723:gamma-Glutamyltransferase / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D005723:gamma-Glutamyltransferase; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase; D008127:Lofepramine