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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 >[log in to unmask]