Plasma and erythrocyte levels of tricyclic antidepressants in depressed patients
Abstract
Plasma and red blood cells (RBCs), amitriptyline, nortriptyline, imipramine, desipramine, doxepin, and desmethyl doxepin levels were measured in depressed inpatients during steady-state kinetics. A strong positive correlation between the drug levels in plasma and RBCs was found for amitriptyline, nortriptyline, desipramine, and desmethyl doxepin. However, at a given plasma level, up to a 6-fold interindividual variation in the RBC drug levels was found. The correlations between plasma and RBC imipramine and doxepin levels were low. The interindividual variation in the RBC-plasma tricyclic level ratios was large enough to warrant further clinical studies on the relationship between efficacy and pharmacokinetics of tricyclic antidepressants.
Access content
To read the fulltext, please use one of the options below to sign in or purchase access.- Personal login
- Institutional Login
- Sign in via OpenAthens
- Register for access
-
Please login/register if you wish to pair your device and check access availability.
Not a subscriber?
PsychiatryOnline subscription options offer access to the DSM-5 library, books, journals, CME, and patient resources. This all-in-one virtual library provides psychiatrists and mental health professionals with key resources for diagnosis, treatment, research, and professional development.
Need more help? PsychiatryOnline Customer Service may be reached by emailing [email protected] or by calling 800-368-5777 (in the U.S.) or 703-907-7322 (outside the U.S.).