[Clinical pharmacokinetics of tricyclic antidepressants. Part I. Pharmacokinetic properties]

Abstract

Pharmacokinetic properties of tricyclic antidepressants (TCA) and factors changing pharmacokinetics of these drugs were presented. The following factors were discussed: age, genetically determined rate of metabolism and TCA interaction with co-administered drugs. As a consequence of these factors alterations mainly in elimination of TCA are observed. It leads to large interindividual variation in TCA plasma concentrations and lack of correlation between TCA concentration and dosage.