Amitriptyline in Depressive States

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
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.

This publication has 6 references indexed in Scilit: