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A Pilot Study of the Mechanism of Action of Desipramine

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 January 2018

S. A. Checkley ,
A. P. Slade ,
E. Shur  and
S. Dawling
S. A. Checkley
Affiliation:
Institute of Psychiatry, De Crespigny Park, London SE5 8AF; Maudsley Hospital, London SE5 6AZ
A. P. Slade
Affiliation:
Institute of Psychiatry, De Crespigny Park, London SE5 8AF
E. Shur
Affiliation:
Institute of Psychiatry, De Crespigny Park, London SE5 8AF
S. Dawling
Affiliation:
Poisons Unit, Guys Hospital, London SE1
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Summary

To test the hypothesis that desipramine alters α adrenoceptor function in depressed patients, the effects of clonidine upon growth hormone sedation and blood pressure have been measured in depressed patients before and after treatment with desipramine. After three weeks of treatment the hypotensive and sedative effects of clonidine were inhibited in all patients even though plasma desipramine concentrations at this time varied from 42 to 560 μg/l. Growth hormone responses to clonidine were enhanced in five of the six patients but this effect was not statistically significant. These findings are consistent with the hypothesis that in these patients desipramine altered α adrenoceptor function: other explanations are discussed.

Type
Research Article
Information
The British Journal of Psychiatry , Volume 138 , Issue 3 , March 1981 , pp. 248 - 251
Copyright
Copyright © Royal College of Psychiatrists, 1981 

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