Age and nortriptyline concentrations in plasma ultrafiltrate. Academic Article uri icon

Overview

abstract

  • OBJECTIVES: Since plasma protein binding of tricyclic antidepressants may be relevant to treatment effects and can be influenced by age-associated factors, we examined both plasma ultrafiltrate and total concentrations of nortriptyline (NT) in patients and compared these to age. We hypothesized negative associations with age of both ultrafiltrate NT and the ratio of ultrafiltrate NT to total plasma NT. METHODS: Patients with major depression at a psychiatric service treated with a stable dose of NT were studied. Trough plasma ultrafiltrate NT concentrations and total plasma NT concentrations were measured by high performance liquid chromatography. Concentrations were corrected for dose. RESULTS: Eighty-seven patients aged 26 - 88 years were studied. Ultrafiltrate NT concentrations and the ratio of ultrafiltrate NT to total NT concentrations were both significantly negatively associated with age. Total NT concentrations were not significantly associated with age. CONCLUSIONS: Relatively low ultrafiltrate NT concentrations in older patients may reflect lower tissue exposure at a given total plasma NT concentration. This could be relevant to toxic and therapeutic effects. Studies of relationships between non-bound drug concentrations and NT treatment outcomes across the age span are needed.

publication date

  • November 1, 2000

Research

keywords

  • Depressive Disorder, Major
  • Nortriptyline

Identity

Scopus Document Identifier

  • 0033674232

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

  • 10.1002/1099-1166(200011)15:11<1009::aid-gps228>3.0.co;2-a

PubMed ID

  • 11113980

Additional Document Info

volume

  • 15

issue

  • 11