[Neuroleptic-tricyclic antidepressant combination. Pharmacological aspects and therapeutic interest (author's...

The frequency of the simultaneous prescription of different psychotropic drugs seems to be high, but this review shows that only few studies have been conducted in order to verify its interest. With regard to neuroleptics and tricyclic antidepressants it appears that their pharmacological and biochemical properties are in opposition; nevertheless, controlled clinical trials do not find therapeutic antagonism between these two types of drugs. Conversely, if pharmacokinetic data are in favor of a decrease of the metabolism of tricyclic antidepressants by neuroleptics, the therapeutic interest of their combination is not well demonstrated. The different methodological aspects raised by these studies are also discussed.