PHARMACOKINETICS OF ANTIDEPRESSANTS - WHY AND HOW THEY ARE RELEVANT TO TREATMENT

The pharmacokinetics of antidepressants are reviewed with special emph asis on clinical applicability. There are substantial pharmacokinetic differences among the five major classes. Pharmacokinetic differences between members of a specific class are usually modest except for sero tonin selective reuptake inhibitors. Between members of this class pha rmacokinetic differences are the major distinguishing variables and ha ve clinically important consequences.