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Possible immunological effects of psychotropic medication
1Transplant Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston.
Psychoactive drugs provide an essential intervention in the care of organ transplant recipients, yet little is known of their effect on immunological function. Human and animal data on immunological effects of neuroleptic (e.g., haloperidol, phenothiazines) and antidepressant agents (e.g., tricyclic antidepressants, fluoxetine) lead to conflicting hypotheses. Lithium carbonate acts through the phosphoinositide system and has a bipolar effect on neuronal activity. Lithium is known to have immune-enhancing properties and is difficult to administer in the peritransplant period but nonetheless deserves study for possible beneficial effects on allograft function.
Psychoactive drugs provide an essential intervention in the care of organ transplant recipients, yet little is known of their effect on immunological function. Human and animal data on immunological effects of neuroleptic (e.g., haloperidol, phenothiazines) and antidepressant agents (e.g., tricyclic antidepressants, fluoxetine) lead to conflicting hypotheses. Lithium carbonate acts through the phosphoinositide system and has a bipolar effect on neuronal activity. Lithium is known to have immune-enhancing properties and is difficult to administer in the peritransplant period but nonetheless deserves study for possible beneficial effects on allograft function.