ABSTRACT
WHAT IS KNOWN AND OBJECTIVE: Polymorphisms in cytochrome P450 2D6 and 2C19 can lead to interindividual differences in drug plasma concentrations, affecting clomipramine efficacy. Pharmacokinetic and pharmacogenetic analyses may improve drug therapy. CASE SUMMARY: We report the case of a depressed woman requiring higher doses than standard of clomipramine. Identification of low plasma drug levels led to extensive pharmacogenetic analyses of all genes and major functional polymorphisms reported to affect clomipramine metabolism. WHAT IS NEW AND CONCLUSION: Therapeutic drug monitoring and pharmacogenetic analyses may be useful in the investigation and optimization of clomipramine in standard-dose non-responders.
Subject(s)
Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic/administration & dosage , Clomipramine/administration & dosage , Depressive Disorder, Major/drug therapy , Depressive Disorder, Major/genetics , Drug Monitoring/methods , Female , Humans , Middle Aged , Pharmacogenetics/methods , Polymorphism, Genetic/geneticsABSTRACT
We report a case of a patient with Fahr disease affected by bipolar disorder type I with psychotic symptoms. The complex clinical picture, characterized by both neurological and psychiatric symptoms, proved to be partially or completely resistant to several pharmacological trials. On the contrary, a marked improvement of clinical picture occurred after a cycle of 10 sessions of electroconvulsive therapy, followed by a complete and sustained resolution of mood, cognitive, motor, and behavioral symptoms during the next 4 years.