Results: Both articles are based upon case–control studies. In the first paper, the authors examine the relation between tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) and an increased risk of breast cancer. The study upon which the paper is based has several design strengths, and the paper presents findings that have biological plausibility. However, the conclusions are weakened by the lack of accounting fo...

The radioimmunoassay for nortriptyline described here can detect as little 1 microgram/liter of plasma. Within-day precision and day-to-day precision (CV) were +/- 6 and +/- 11%, respectively, over the concentration range 100-200 microgram/liter. The major metabolite hydroxy-nortriptyline, does not cross react with the antiserum. Results so obtained correlate closely with results by a double-is...

MEDICAL attitudes to psychotropic drugs in general and antidepressants in particular tend to be casual, and their effects seen as innocuous. Indeed if used as recommended by their manufacturers tricyclic antidepressants are not very effective drugs, although some of their side effects and interactions can be very serious. It has been stated that tricyclics generally have a margin of superiority...

AIM This report presents two cases diagnosed with atypical odontalgia (AO) and successfully treated with amitriptyline as well as providing a review of the current literature on the subject. RESULTS The literature indicates the most important issue is an accurate differential diagnosis to distinguish between AO, pulpal pain, myofascial pain, and trigeminal neuralgia. CONCLUSION Once the cor...

BACKGROUND A recent simulation concluded that the serotonin-specific reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) paroxetine was more cost-effective than the tricyclic antidepressant (TCA) imipramine, despite substantially higher medication acquisition costs. METHOD We replicated the previous model and revised key assumptions which drove the results. The revised model was subjected to sensitivity analysis. RE...

We describe a rapid, sensitive procedure for detecting benzodiazepines and tricyclic antidepressants in serum. After the compounds are adsorbed on charcoal and eluted with an organic solvent mixture, the drugs are thin-layer chromatographed and detected by their fluorescence. Because it is so fast and easy (turn-around time of about 1 h), the method can be used for emergency toxicology screenin...

The object of this paper, rather than producing new information, is to produce a useful vademecum for doctors prescribing antidepressants, with the information useful for their being prescribed. Antidepressants need to be seen as part of a package of treatment for the patient with depression which also includes psychological treatments and social interventions. Here the main Antidepressant grou...

Among patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD), depression is highly prevalent and is associated with worse cardiovascular prognosis and lower quality of life. Treatments for depression in CVD patients produce modest, but clinically significant reductions in depressive symptoms and show promise for improving cardiovascular prognosis. While tricyclics should generally be avoided, antidepressan...

BACKGROUND The late onset of therapeutic response and a relatively large proportion of nonresponders to antidepressants remain major concerns in clinical practice. Therefore, there is a critical need for effective medication strategies that augment treatment with antidepressants. METHODS To review the available evidence on the use of lithium as an augmentation strategy to treat depressive epi...

Rodent evidence has confirmed the analgesic effect of tricyclic antidepressants in the treatment of chronic pain, which amitriptyline is rigorously verified. The analgesic effect of amitriptyline, whose mechanisms are complex and unclear, is different from its antidepressant effect. This article reviewed the mechanisms behind amitriptyline’s analgesic properties to further understanding of this...