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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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