Response of depression to very high plasma levels of imipramine plus desipramine

Biol Psychiatry. 1991 Jul 1;30(1):57-62. doi: 10.1016/0006-3223(91)90070-3.

Abstract

Forty-five depressed patients were treated with imipramine for 6 weeks. Seven of 7 patients (100%) who had plasma levels of imipramine plus desipramine greater than 500 ng/ml showed a 50% or greater improvement in Hamilton depression scores compared with 23 of 38 patients (60%) with plasma levels less than 500 ng/ml (p less than 0.057).

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Depressive Disorder / blood*
  • Depressive Disorder / drug therapy
  • Depressive Disorder / psychology
  • Desipramine / pharmacokinetics*
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Drug Administration Schedule
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Imipramine / administration & dosage
  • Imipramine / adverse effects
  • Imipramine / pharmacokinetics*
  • Male
  • Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
  • Psychometrics

Substances

  • Imipramine
  • Desipramine