Saliva secretion following long‐term antidepressant treatment with nortriptyline controlled by plasma levels

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Abstract
Abstract – Eight patients undergoing antidepressant therapy with nortriptyline for 1–4 years were investigated. The period of the investigation was 7 weeks and included a 2‐week placebo period, blind for the patients. Total saliva secretion measurement, the nortriptyline plasma level, and signs and symptoms of depression and side effects were obtained once a week during the study. The results of the investigation were: (1) long‐term treatment with nortriptyline is followed by hyposecretion or xerostomia, (2) the reduction of the secretion is reversible, (3) re‐establishment of treatment with dosage leading to the same serum level of nortriptyline is immediately followed by a drop in saliva secretion, and (4) the changes in salivary secretion are useful as an indicator of side effects. The practical importance of the investigation is discussed.