Cardiovascular Effects of Amitriptyline in the Treatment of Elderly Depressed Patients

Overview

Journal Psychopharmacology (Berl)

Specialty Pharmacology

Date 1985 Jan 1

PMID 3931149

Citations 4

Authors

P Christensen

H. Y. Thomsen

O L Pedersen

P Thayssen

H Oxhoj

P Kragh-Sorensen

L F Gram

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Thirteen elderly depressed patients (age 60-82 years) were treated for 5 weeks with a fixed dose of amitriptyline 100 mg (sustained release preparation). In all patients the sum of concentrations of amitriptyline and nortriptyline exceeded 130 micrograms/l, which is the recommended plasma level. Cardiovascular side effects were recorded by monitoring heart rate, blood pressure, standard ECG and systolic time intervals. During treatment, a transient increase in the supine heart rate was observed without significant changes in the supine blood pressure. The orthostatic drop in blood pressure was markedly increased during treatment without a compensatory increase in heart rate, and these changes remained significant during the whole investigational period. PQ and QRS were significantly increased during treatment, and significant changes in the systolic time intervals were found indicating impairment of myocardial conduction and contractility. In three patients medication was discontinued due to cardiovascular side effects.

Citing Articles

Amitriptyline-induced ventricular tachycardia: a case report.

Sabah K, Chowdhury A, Islam M, Saha B, Kabir S, Kawser S BMC Res Notes. 2017; 10(1):286.

PMID: 28709467 PMC: 5513042. DOI: 10.1186/s13104-017-2615-8.

Pharmacological treatment of depression in the elderly.

Clements K Can Fam Physician. 2011; 36:899-904.

PMID: 21233959 PMC: 2280456.

Orthostatic side effects of clomipramine and citalopram during treatment for depression.

Christensen P, Thomsen H, Pedersen O, Gram L, Kragh-Sorensen P Psychopharmacology (Berl). 1985; 86(4):383-5.

PMID: 3929308 DOI: 10.1007/BF00427895.

The effect of the tricyclic antidepressant drug, nortriptyline on left ventricular ejection fraction and left ventricular volumes.

Hartling O, Marving J, Knudsen P, Dahl A, Hoilund-Carlsen P, Hartling L Psychopharmacology (Berl). 1987; 91(3):381-3.

PMID: 3104963 DOI: 10.1007/BF00518196.

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