Clinical Significance of Anticholinergic Effects of Imipramine-Like Drugs
GEORGE E. VAILLANT M.D.1
1 Department of psychiatry, Tufts University School of Medicine, 260 Tremont St., Boston, Mass. 02116
The author compared the antimuscarinic effects on pigeon behavior of amitriptyline, imipramine, and desmethylimipramine (DMI), as well as several other drugs. The results, which did not support the hypothesis that discrete cholinergic mechanisms play an important role in endogenous depression, suggest that DMI may be the antidepressant of choice when the physician wants to minimize atropine-like side effects, while amitriptyline may be chosen when a sedative effect is desired.
