Amitriptyline in Anxious-Depressed Outpatients: A Controlled Study
KARL RICKELS M.D.1,
IRMA CSANALOSI M.D.2,
HACK R. CHUNG M.D.2,
W. GEORGE CASE M.D.2,
JORGE A. PEREIRA-OGAN M.D.2, , and
ROBERT W. DOWNING PH.D.3
1 Director, Psychopharmacology Research Unit, Philadelphia General Hospital, Philadelphia, Pa. 19104
2 Research Psychiatrist, Psychopharmacology Research Unit, Philadelphia General Hospital, Philadelphia, Pa. 19104
3 Chief, Psychology Service, University of Pennsylvania Division of Psychiatric Service, Philadelphia General Hospital
In a four-week study of 08 volunteer subjects with mixed symptoms of anxiety and depression, amitriptyline produced significantly more improvement than placebo. Significant differences were noted between the amitriptyline and placebo treatment groups at two weeks in relief of somatic and anxiety symptoms and at four weeks in relief of depressive symptoms. The marked sensitivity of the volunteers to certain amitriptyline-induced side effects appeared to be related to their relatively high level of education, employment, and anxiety. Comparison data indicated that the results obtained with volunteers are relevant to outpatients treated in general practice.
