Age-related adverse drug reactions to clomipramine.

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine whether age itself is a significant factor in predicting adverse drug reactions in depressed inpatients treated with clomipramine.

Method: The study involved 150 hospitalized, depressed patients treated with 150 mg clomipramine per day. Changes in orthostatic blood pressure during treatment as well as the patients' complaint about side-effects was examined with regard to age. The sample was divided into younger (<56) and older (56-70) groups.

Results: No significant differences between younger and older subjects were found on any of the 44 side-effects recorded. However, older depressed patients suffer from more pronounced orthostatic hypotension than younger patients.

Conclusion: Older depressed patients who have been treated with clomipramine suffer from more severe orthostatic hypotension than younger patients. However, with the right precautions it is safe to treat older patient up to the age of 70 years with a tricyclic antidepressant.