Pharmacokinetics of tricyclic antidepressants

Abstract

The pharmacokinetics of the tricyclic antidepressants are characterised by a large apparent volume of distribution; efficient and almost complete elimination by metabolism in the liver and a large interindividual variation. Pharmacokinetic parameters are greatly influenced by the presence of other drugs and xenobiotics. Age has no effect on nortriptyline kinetics in healthy elderly volunteers, when compared with younger subjects. The possible clinical relevance of this observation is discussed. For some newer antidepressants, maprotiline and dothiepin, pharmacokinetic parameters determined in healthy volunteers are similar to those observed with other tricyclics. Nocoifensine, a bicyclic com..