Platelet counts in depressed patients treated with amitriptyline or paroxetine.
OBJECTIVE
To assess whether therapy with two widely used antidepressants influences platelet counts.


METHODS
In 90 patients hospitalized for treatment of a major depressive episode according to DSM-IV, platelet counts were performed after a 6 d antidepressant-free run-in period and again after 35 d of active standardized treatment with amitriptyline (n = 40) or paroxetine (n = 50).


RESULTS
There was a trend for platelet counts to increase during treatment with amitriptyline (from 245.5 +/- 68.6 to 256.8 +/- 69 cells x 10(9) L(-1), P < 0.06); no change was observed during treatment with paroxetine (from 232.6 +/- 58.3 to 234.6 +/- 68.9 cells x 10(9) L(-1), n.s).


CONCLUSIONS
Treatment with amitriptyline tends to be associated with elevated platelet counts. The cause for this increase is not known, but may be relevant in terms of patients' long-term thromboembolic risk.
Lederbogen
F
F
Central Institute of Mental Health, J5, 68159 Mannheim, Germany. lederbog@as200.zi-mannheim.de
Hörer
E
E
Hellweg
R
R
Heuser
I
I
Deuschle
M
M
D000639:Amitriptyline / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017374:Paroxetine / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010976:Platelet Count; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000639:Amitriptyline; D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic; D017374:Paroxetine; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors