Chlorimipramine--but not imipramine--rapidly reduces [3H]imipramine binding in human platelet membranes

A single dose of 50 mg chlorimipramine was followed by a rapid and pronounced decrease in [3H]imipramine binding to platelet membranes. Incubation of human platelets or platelet membranes with 25 nM chlorimipramine similarly reduced [3H]imipramine binding. Imipramine, desmethylchlorimipramine, chlorpromazine and some serotonin uptake inhibitors did not have this effect. The effect was not due to chlorimipramine remaining in the membranes during the binding analysis.