title: [Tricyclic antidepressant plasma levels in depression: a practical guide].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Plasma levels can be used to monitor the clinical efficacy of tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs). In practice, the interpretation of plasma levels can be problematical, for several reasons: varying time-intervals between ingestion and blood sampling, the number of times per day a particular antidepressant is administered, the presence of active metabolites and the use of slow-release substances.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To present realistic recommendations regarding the interpretation of plasma levels of TCA in clinical practice.
  
  
  METHODS
  We studied the relevant literature.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  On the basis of the literature we make the following recommendations:
authors.affiliation: Klinische Farmacie, St. Antonius Ziekenhuis, Nieuwegein. r.vis@antoniusziekenhuis.nl
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Vis
authors.forename: J J M
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Hassink
authors.forename: C H
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Vinkers
mesh_terms: D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic / Q000097:blood* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003863:Depression / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy; D016903:Drug Monitoring; D006801:Humans; D010349:Patient Compliance; D012016:Reference Values
chemical_list: D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic