[Effects of protriptyline on day and night time oxygenation in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease]

To determine the effects of protriptyline, a tricyclic non-sedative antidepressant, on sleep architecture, day and night arterial oxygen saturation and pulmonary function, ten patients with stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease were evaluated. Overnight polysomnographic measurements were made before and 2 to 4 months after Protriptyline (10-20 mg daily) therapy. The results showed that two patients could not tolerate the protriptyline. Protriptyline caused xerostomia in eight of 10 cases, dysuria in five of 10 cases. Protriptyline therapy did not alter sleep efficiency and sleep latency but shortened the REM sleep stage from 15.6% to 8.2% Even though protriptyline did not change simple spirometry comparing before and after therapy, protriptyline decreased delta SaO2 and increased lowest SaO2 and baseline PaO2. In conclusion, these results suggest that protriptyline may benefit COPD patients by improving nocturnal oxygenation and nocturnal desaturation events.