Anticholinergic activity of two tricyclic antidepressants.

Using a double-blind crossover Latin square design, the authors evaluated the peripheral anticholinergic and central nervous system effects of three dose levels of two tricyclic antidepressants in female volunteers. Results showed that 5 hours after drug administration, desipramine (50 and 100 mg) caused significantly less reduction in salivation than did amitriptyline. Amitriptyline produced more sedation (Clyde Mood Scale) and a greater number of subjective complaints than did desipramine. These results are consistent with anticholinergic profiles from animal experiments and suggest that clinically meaningful differences may exist among tricyclic antidepressants.

RCT Entities:   Population Interventions Outcomes