What if  the the tricyclic (amitriptyline) was prescribed strictly as, and
taken strictly as, a sleeping aid?
I believe imipramine is also prescribed as a sleeping pill.  I wonder if he
would suggest an alternative be found, which should be easier to do.

-----Original Message-----
From: Judith Richards <[log in to unmask]>
To: Multiple recipients of list PARKINSN <[log in to unmask]>
Date: Saturday, March 21, 1998 10:33 PM
Subject: Re: non PD: Antidepressant Tied To Lung Condition


>At 06:37  21/03/98 -0500, Debbie White wrote:
>>Does anyone know which antidepressants are tricyclic?
>
>Debbie,
>
>These are the tricyclics listed in my drug book:
>amitriptyline (Elavil, Endep) - amoxopine (Asendin) - clomipramine
(anafranil)
>desipramine (Norpramin, Pertofrane) - doxepin (Adapin, Sinequan)
>imipramine (Janimine, Tofranil) - nortriptyline Aventyl, Pamelor)
>protriptyline (Vicactil) - trimipramine (Surmontil)
>
>I didn't mean to alarm anyone by posting this report. I, myself, take
>amitriptyline, and I know several other PWP who take that or nortriptyline.
>The authors of the report only suggest that we be aware of the possibility
>of this problem.
>
>Please note the last two paragraphs of the report:
>
>Lead author Dr. Richard Hubbard says that "although these findings need
>confirmation in other studies, it seems sensible to suggest that any
patient
>with IPF who is taking tricyclic antidepressants, particularly imipramine,
>should discuss with his or her doctor having this antidepressant changed to
>another drug." Hubbard adds that "it seems sensible to avoid starting
>tricyclics in patients with IPF, particularly now that there are a lot of
>other effective newer antidepressants available." However, he notes that
>treatment decisions must be made on a case-by-case basis between patients
>and their doctors, since "depression can be life-threatening, and some
cases
>respond only to tricyclic antidepressants."
>
>The new finding needs to be confirmed by other studies, according to Dr.
>Gary Hunninghake, director of the pulmonary division at the University of
>Iowa Hospitals in Iowa City. "For now, I would advise that patients taking
>tricyclic antidepressants not stop their medications," said Hunninghake in
a
>statement released by the American Lung Association. "They may want to
>discuss this with their personal physician."
>
>Judith
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