A Double-Blind Comparison of Dothiepin and Amitriptyline in Patients with Primary Affective Disorder: Serum Levels and Clinical Response

In a double-blind parallel group study, thirty-two patients suffering from a primary affective disorder received either dothiepin or amitriptyline. Serum concentrations of total dothiepin plus northiaden or amitriptyline and nortriptyline were estimated. A similar therapeutic response was seen with both drugs but there was no correlation with serum concentrations of amitriptyline or nortriptyline, whereas serum dothiepin correlated positively with clinical response.