[Remarkably low blood pressure induced by combination of SSRI and a small dose of TCA]

Seishin Shinkeigaku Zasshi. 2005;107(10):1034-9.
[Article in Japanese]

Abstract

Recently, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) have been frequently used as the first choice of antidepressants because of their safety in comparison with tricyclic antidepressive agents (TCA). On the other hand, when SSRIs are not effective, they are frequently replaced with another antidepressant. In that case, a small dose of a TCA is often added without cross tapering. We report two elderly patients with depression who exhibited markedly low blood pressure when a small dose of a TCA was added to a SSRI. The combination of a SSRI and a TCA can be hazardous because it can cause unexpected adverse effects especially in elderly patients.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic / administration & dosage
  • Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic / adverse effects*
  • Depression / drug therapy*
  • Drug Interactions
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • Humans
  • Hypotension, Orthostatic / chemically induced*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / administration & dosage
  • Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / adverse effects*

Substances

  • Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic
  • Serotonin Uptake Inhibitors