Anticholinergic activity of two tricyclic antidepressants

Using a double-blind crossover Latin square design, the authors evaluated the peripheral anticholinergic and central nervous system effects of three dose levels of two tricyclic antidepressants in female volunteers. Results showed that 5 hours after drug administration, desipramine (50 and 100 mg) caused significantly less reduction in salivation than did amitriptyline. Amitriptyline produced more sedation (Clyde Mood Scale) and a greater number of subjective complaints than did desipramine. These results are consistent with anticholinergic profiles from animal experiments and suggest that clinically meaningful differences may exist among tricyclic antidepressants.