New reagents for detection of faecal occult blood

Imipramine hydrochloride (IPH) and desipramine hydrochloride (DPH), two wid ely used antidepressant drugs, are proposed as new reagents for detection o f faecal occult blood. The usefulness of IPH and DPH in occult blood detect ion has been examined and compared with benzidine and stanoccult methods. T he results show that the proposed reagents are selective and sensitive and gives reproducible results. The proposed methodology is much less subject t o vegetable peroxidase, iron and vitamin C interference and can be performe d on patients who are on a normal diet. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.