TRIMIPRAMINE AND MAPROTILINE PLASMA-LEVELS DURING COMBINED TREATMENT WITH MOCLOBEMIDE IN THERAPY-RESISTANT DEPRESSION

In an open pilot study of 21 therapy-resistant depressive inpatients, plasma levels of antidepressants were determined during treatment with a combination of moclobemide/trimipramine (n=15) and moclobemide/mapr otiline (n=6). After combined administration of trimipramine and moclo bemide (MCB), a significant increase in the plasma level of trimiprami ne (39%) was observed. After combination of maprotiline with moclobemi de, maprotiline levels were increased (25%, n.s.), The results show th at moclobemide, as an inhibitor of isoenzymes of the cytochrome P 450 oxidase, can cause increases in the plasma levels of tricyclic and tet racyclic antidepressants. No correlation between the serum level of th e antidepressants and treatment outcome was found in this open study.