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The British Journal of Psychiatry 139: 413-416 (1981)
© 1981 The Royal College of Psychiatrists

Nortriptyline therapy in elderly patients: dosage prediction from plasma concentration at 24 hours after a single 50 mg dose

S Dawling, P Crome, EJ Heyer and RR Lewis

Ten depressed elderly female patients in hospital (mean age 82 years) received a single oral dose of 50 mg nortriptyline prior to commencing treatment with this drug. The nortriptyline concentration in a plasma sample obtained 24 hours afterwards was used to predict the daily dose required to achieve a steady-state concentration within the range of 50- 150 micrograms. l-1. The mean daily dose prescribed was 50 mg (range 20- 100 mg). These dosage regimes provided a mean observed steady-state nortriptyline concentration of 104 micrograms. l-1, with a range of 76- 180 microgram. l-1 (S.D. 30 microgram. l-1). Use of this prediction test can prevent the development of toxic plasma concentrations and enhance the possibility of therapeutic success.




HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS
Psychiatric Bulletin Advances in Psychiatric Treatment All RCPsych Journals
Copyright © 1981 The Royal College of Psychiatrists.