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Amitriptyline in Depressive States

A Controlled Trial in India

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 January 2018

Roshen S. Master*
Affiliation:
Maharashtra State, Poona 1, India

Extract

Amitriptyline, 5-(3 dimethylaminopropylidine)-dibenzo (a,d) (1,4) cycloheptadicne hydrochloride, though chemically and pharmacologically related to imipramine (Barsa and Saunders, 1961) has a tranquillizing effect which is absent with imipramine (Pressman and Weiss, 1961; Bennett, 1961); it acts simultaneously as an antidepressant through its influence on the “anxiety factor” (Freed, 1960; Dorfman, 1960). In contrast to imipramine and the monoamine oxidase inhibitors, amitriptyline has very little influence on the circulatory system and blood pressure (Jensen, 1961) and less proneness to exacerbate the symptoms of schizophrenia (Barsa and Saunders, 1961). Dunlop (1961) noticed a reduction in other symptoms, such as gastrointestinal distress, hyperventilation and vasomotor dysfunction for which amitriptyline was not primarily administered. This he attributed to an anticholinergic side-effect on the central nervous system.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Royal College of Psychiatrists, 1963 

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References

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