The authors review the main pharmacological factors playing a role in the kinetics of tricyclic antidepressant plasma levels. The current data concerning the relationship between tricyclic plasma levels and their clinical responses indicate that there is a therapeutic window at 50–150 ng/ml for the secondary derivatives (nortriptyline and desipramine). The lower limit of efficiency for the primary derivatives (imipramine and amitriptyline) is estimated at 200 ng/ml. The boundaries and prospects of the clinical use of antidepressant plasma levels are discussed in their various methodological aspects.

Keywords:
Antidepressants, Pharmacokinetics, Plasma levels, Amitriptyline, Imipramine
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© 1982 S. Karger AG, Basel
1982
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