Comparative effects of duloxetine and desipramine on sleep EEG in healthy subjects

• Published in: Psychopharmacologia Vol. 177; no. 4; pp. 357 - 365
• Main Authors: Chalon, Stephan, Pereira, Alvaro, Lainey, Eric, Vandenhende, Fran ois, Watkin, John G., Staner, Luc, Granier, Luc-Andr
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin Springer 01.02.2005; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Antidepressive Agents - adverse effects; Antidepressive Agents - blood; Antidepressive Agents - therapeutic use; Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic - adverse effects; Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic - blood; Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic - therapeutic use; Biological and medical sciences; Cross-Over Studies; Desipramine - adverse effects; Desipramine - blood; Desipramine - therapeutic use; Double-Blind Method; Duloxetine Hydrochloride; Electroencephalography - drug effects; Female; Humans; Male; Medical sciences; Neuropharmacology; Norepinephrine - metabolism; Pharmacology. Drug treatments; Polysomnography; Psychoanaleptics: cns stimulant, antidepressant agent, nootropic agent, mood stabilizer..., (alzheimer disease); Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry; Psychopharmacology; Serotonin - metabolism; Sleep - drug effects; Sleep Stages - drug effects; Surveys and Questionnaires; Thiophenes - adverse effects; Thiophenes - blood; Thiophenes - therapeutic use; Human; Serotonin; Healthy subject; Desipramine; Psychotropic; Electrophysiology; Electroencephalography; Duloxetine; Catecholamine; Tricyclic compound; Reuptake inhibitor; Polysomnography; Rapid eye movement sleep; REM sleep; Sleep; Neurotransmitter; Antidepressant agent; Norepinephrine; Sleep wake cycle
• ISSN: 0033-3158; 1432-2072
• DOI: 10.1007/s00213-004-1961-0

Antidepressants are known to modify human sleep patterns. Duloxetine is a new antidepressant with a mechanism of action involving reuptake inhibition of both serotonin (5-HT) and norepinephrine (NE). In this study, the effects of two dosing regimens of duloxetine on sleep electroencephalography (EEG) were investigated at steady-state plasma concentrations in young, healthy, male subjects. Placebo (n=12), desipramine (50 mg BID; n=12) and two regimens of duloxetine (80 mg QD, n=6; or 60 mg BID, n=6) were compared in a randomized, double-blind, three-period crossover study, each treatment being administered from day 1 to day 7. Sleep polygraphic recordings took place at baseline (day -1) and day 6 of each period. The Leeds sleep evaluation questionnaire (LSEQ) was also administered on the morning of day 7. Both regimens of duloxetine produced a significant increase in the onset latency of REM sleep as well as a significant mean decrease in total REM sleep duration. Desipramine exhibited comparable effects. When compared to placebo, sleep continuity was significantly reduced with desipramine and duloxetine 60 mg BID whereas a significant improvement was observed with duloxetine 80 mg QD. On the LSEQ, duloxetine 80 mg QD produced a significant improvement in the "getting to sleep" subscale compared to placebo, whereas desipramine demonstrated a significant reduction (worsening) in the "quality of sleep" score versus placebo. The two dose regimens of duloxetine (80 mg QD and 60 mg BID) produced a REM sleep pattern comparable to that of most antidepressant medications. Duloxetine 80 mg QD appeared to exhibit less impact upon sleep quality than duloxetine 60 mg BID in healthy subjects.