title: Protriptyline as an alternative stimulant medication in patients with brain injury: a series of case reports.
abstract: The results of a series of eight individual case reports in which protriptyline, an activating tricyclic antidepressant, was used as a 'stimulant' medication are presented. For some patients with head injury, traditional stimulants, such as methylphenidate, or dopaminergic stimulants, such as levodopa-carbidopa, amantadine, or bromocriptine, may be partially or totally ineffective or not tolerated. Protriptyline can be a very effective alternative and, for some patients, may be the most effective stimulant tried. In low to moderate doses, protriptyline should be considered for trials as an activating/stimulant medication in patients with head injury.
authors.affiliation: Greenery Rehabilitation Center, Boston, MA 02135.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Wroblewski
authors.forename: M B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Glenn
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Cornblatt
authors.forename: A B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Joseph
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Suduikis
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living / Q000523:psychology; D000328:Adult; D001143:Arousal / Q000187:drug effects; D001288:Attention / Q000187:drug effects; D001925:Brain Damage, Chronic / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D005260:Female; D016489:Head Injuries, Closed / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009460:Neurologic Examination; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D011530:Protriptyline / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D011530:Protriptyline