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Electrocardiogram Changes and Therapeutic Desipramine and 2-Hydroxy-Desipramine Concentrations in Elderly Depressives

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 January 2018

S. P. Kutcher ,
K. Reid ,
J. D. Dubbin  and
K. I. Shulman
S. P. Kutcher*
Affiliation:
M.R.C. Brain Metabolism Unit, Royal Edinburgh Hospital, Edinburgh, Scotland EH19 5HF
K. Reid
Affiliation:
Queen Street Mental Health Centre, 1001 Queen St. W., Toronto, Ontario, Canada
J. D. Dubbin
Affiliation:
Sunnybrook Medical Centre
K. I. Shulman
Affiliation:
Coordinator Division of Geriatric Psychiatry, Sunnybrook Medical Centre
*
∗Correspondence
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Abstract

ECG parameters in elderly depressed in-patients were assessed during routine despramine 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 despiramines's cardiac safety in the elderly may need to be re-evaluated.

Type
Papers
Information
The British Journal of Psychiatry , Volume 148 , Issue 6 , June 1986 , pp. 676 - 679
Copyright
Copyright © 1986 The Royal College of Psychiatrists 

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Footnotes

∗

Present Address: University of Toronto, Department of Psychiatry, Sunnybrook Medical Centre, 2075 Bayview Avenue, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

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