[Serum concentrations of amitriptyline and its metabolites and clinical effect in depressive patients].

The serum concentrations of amitriptyline and its 3 metabolites--nortriptyline, 10-hydroxy-amitriptyline and 10-hydroxy-nortriptyline were determined in 18 depressive patients treated with amitriptyline for 6 weeks. The relationships between the serum concentrations and the clinical effects were statistically analyzed and showed significant correlations. The authors suggest that the total TAD serum concentration (280 ng/ml) can be used as the index for clinical efficacy, so far as the above data are concerned.