[Clinical usefulness of monitoring serum levels of imipramine and desipramine in patients treated for endogenous depression].

Fifteen patients with endogenous unipolar and bipolar depression were treated with imipramine and, if necessary, one of benzodiazepine or neuroleptic. Total serum concentrations of imipramine (IMI) and its active metabolite desipramine (DMI) were measured in steady-state by FPIA method . Severity of depression was assessed using the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale. IMI + DMI serum concentration monitoring appeared to be useful in every case. It helped to arrive more quickly at the optimal dosage, confirmed the suspicion of overdosage or noncompliance. In nonresponders group, it helped with the earlier decision of changing brands of tricyclic antidepressant or it contributed to intensify the diagnostic process which detected the additional pathology.