In this study tried to elucidate the relationship between steady-state serum levels of amitriptline along with its active metabolite nortriptyline. Therapeutic responses and side effects.
Twenty inpatients who were, at different times, admitted to the Department of Neuropsychiatry. Chung-Ang University Hospital sometime between 1990. 1.1 and 1991.6.30 and who met the DSM-III-R criteria for major depression and treated with
amitriptyline
for at least 4 weeks, were selected.
Serum levels of tricyclic antidepressant depression score and side effect score were measured at the time of admission. First second, third and fourth week of treatment respectively
@ES The results of the study were as follows:
@EN 1) Baseline and next 4 weekly Hamilton rating score for depression were 32.65±5.82, 24.10±7.13, 19.15±5.88, 14.65±5.30 and 11.05±5.03 respectively. These results show significant difference according to the therapeutic period.
2) Weekly side effect scores were 13.35±5.19, 10.05±4.39, 7.60±2.99 and 5.50±2.60. There is significant difference in side effect scores according to the therapeutic period.
3) The combined mean serum levels of amitriptyline and nortriptyline of 17 responders was 187.86±72.69ng/ml, and that of 3 nonresponders was 221.74±56.56. These results show no significant difference.
4) These are to correlations between TCA serum levels and clinical responses or side effects except at third week.
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