Question

Patients suffering from a mood disorder or depression can be given a tricyclic antidepressant, such as nortriptyline or amitriptyline, to treat their symptoms. Both drugs can be given orally and are rapidly and efficiently absorbed from the GI tract. For nortriptyline, approximately 33% of a single orally administered dose is cleared from the plasma via the urine within 24 hours. For amitriptyline, approximately 50% of a single orally administered dose is cleared from the plasma via the urine within 24 hours. The ideal therapeutic range for both of these drugs is similar, so when administering amitriptyline, a ____________ dose should be given, compared to nortriptyline, in order to achieve a therapeutic effect. Assume both drugs are given at the same dosing frequency.

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Answer 1

The patient suffering from mood disorder or depressio will be prescribed as followed.

FOR OUTPATIENTS: initial dose will be 75 mg orally per day in divided doses, this may be increased to 150 mg per day if needed.

Maintainence dose will be 40 to 100 mg per day

Maximum dose will be 150 mg per day.

FOR IN PATIENTS: Initial dose will be 100 mg per day ,

Maintainence dose will be 40 to 100 mg per day.

FOR GERIATIC PATIENTS: They will be prescribed 10mg orally 3 times a day.

Hence these are the dosages which are prescribed to a patient with mood disorders or depression.