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Anticholinergic effects and plasma desipramine levels
Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics
|November 1, 1980
Summary
This study found that the antidepressant desipramine significantly reduced salivation and increased pulse rate in outpatients. Higher drug levels correlated with greater salivation reduction, but subjective side effects were not consistently reported.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacology
- Clinical Psychology
Background:
- Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) like desipramine are widely used for depression.
- Anticholinergic side effects are common with TCAs, impacting various physiological functions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the anticholinergic effects of desipramine.
- To objectively measure changes in salivation and pulse rate.
- To assess subjective patient-reported side effects like dry mouth and palpitations.
Main Methods:
- 12 outpatients were treated with desipramine up to 150 mg daily.
- Salivation, pulse rate, mouth dryness, and palpitations were measured before and after 3 weeks of treatment.
- Plasma desipramine levels were analyzed to correlate with observed effects.
Main Results:
- Significant reductions in salivation and increases in pulse rate were observed.
- Subjective reports of palpitations did not significantly change.
- Higher plasma desipramine levels were associated with greater salivation suppression.
- No significant correlation was found between objective changes (salivation, pulse) and subjective reports.
Conclusions:
- Desipramine exhibits significant anticholinergic effects on salivation and heart rate.
- Objective measures are more sensitive to desipramine's anticholinergic effects than subjective reports.
- Dosage and plasma levels influence the severity of anticholinergic side effects.