A comparative trial of protriptyline and nortriptyline

Summary

A double-blind controlled trial was carried out in 31 depressed patients to compare the effectiveness and side-effect liability of protriptyline and nortriptyline. Patients were allocated at random to treatment with identical capsules of either 10 mg. protriptyline or 25 mg. nortriptyline (2 capsules t.d.s.)for 4 weeks. Severity of symptoms, judged clinically and by the patient on a self-rating scale, and side-effseects were assessed before, at the end of the first week and on completion of the trial period. Four patients defaulted (2 on each drug). The results showed that both drugs were efsective anti-depressants. Protriptyline proved at least as effective as nortriptyline in the dosage used in the trial and produced less drowsiness. There was a tendency, however, for patients to have more atropine-like side-effects such as dry mouth and blurred vision.

Key Words::

• Protriptyline
• nortriptyline
• antidepressive agents
• depression