Altered hydroxydesipramine concentrations in elderly depressed patients.

ABSTRACT

Recent reports demonstrate that hydroxy metabolites of desipramine (DMI) have pharmacologic activity and do not just produce side effects. In patients treated with DMI, we determined the ratio of 2-hydroxydesipramine (2-OH-DMI) to drug at steady state. The ratios in the elderly patients were higher than in younger patients, and whereas plasma levels of 2-OH-DMI increased with age, urinary clearances decreased. The known decrease in glomerular filtration with age may explain the selective increase of 2-OH-DMI concentration in the elderly.