Electrocardiogram changes and therapeutic desipramine and 2-hydroxy-desipramine concentrations in elderly depressives

ECG parameters in elderly depressed in-patients were assessed during routine desipramine treatment. Significant changes (prolonged PR and PRS intervals and a decreased QTc interval) were found, related only to steady state concentrations of desipramine's major metabolite--2-hydroxy-desipramine....

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Bibliographic Details
Published inBritish journal of psychiatry Vol. 148; p. 676
Main Authors Kutcher, S P, Reid, K, Dubbin, J D, Shulman, K I
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published England 01.06.1986
Subjects
Aged
Depressive Disorder - blood
Depressive Disorder - drug therapy
Depressive Disorder - physiopathology
Desipramine - analogs & derivatives
Desipramine - blood
Desipramine - therapeutic use
Electrocardiography
Female
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Time Factors
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Summary:ECG parameters in elderly depressed in-patients were assessed during routine desipramine treatment. Significant changes (prolonged PR and PRS intervals and a decreased QTc interval) were found, related only to steady state concentrations of desipramine's major metabolite--2-hydroxy-desipramine. Potentially clinically significant changes developed in 40% of the patients. All serum drug concentrations were within therapeutic limits. Previous assurances about desipramines's cardiac safety in the elderly may need to be re-evaluated.
ISSN:0007-1250
DOI:10.1192/bjp.148.6.676