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Long-Term Monitoring of Tricyclic Antidepressant Plasma Concentrations

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 January 2018

Agrégé Henry Loo ,
Kader Benyacoub ,
Vincenzo Rovei ,
Carlo A. Altamura ,
Marthe Vadrot  and
Paolo L. Morselli
Agrégé Henry Loo
Affiliation:
Service Hospitalo-Universitaire de Santé Mentale et de Thérapeutique, Rue Cabanis, 75674 Paris Cedex 14, France
Kader Benyacoub
Affiliation:
Service Hospitalo-Universitaire de Santé Mentale et de Thérapeutique, Rue Cabanis, 75674 Paris Cedex 14, France
Vincenzo Rovei
Affiliation:
Department of Clinical Research, Synthelabo-L.E.R.S., 31 Avenue Paul Vaillant Couturier, 92220 Bagneux, France
Carlo A. Altamura
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, University of Milan Medical School, Italy
Marthe Vadrot
Affiliation:
Department of Clinical Research, Synthelabo-L.E.R.S., 58 Rue de la Glacière, 75013 Paris, France
Paolo L. Morselli
Affiliation:
Department of Clinical Research, Synthelabo-L.E.R.S., 58 Rue de la Glacière, 75013 Paris, France
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Summary

Plasma levels of antidepressant drugs were measured in 17 depressed patients at roughly monthly intervals over follow-up periods of three to 26 months. Good results in seven were associated with small fluctuations in level from visit to visit, while big fluctuations were associated with poor outcome. Such fluctuations were probably from poor compliance or drug interaction from self-medication. Severe side effects and cardiotoxicity were associated with high levels.

Type
Research Article
Information
The British Journal of Psychiatry , Volume 137 , Issue 5 , November 1980 , pp. 444 - 451
Copyright
Copyright © Royal College of Psychiatrists, 1980 

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