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A COMPARISON OF IMIPRAMINE, CHLORPROMAZINE AND RELATED DRUGS IN VARIOUS TESTS INVOLVING AUTONOMIC FUNCTIONS AND ANTAGONISM OF RESERPINE
Author(s) -
HALLIWELL G.,
QUINTON R. M.,
WILLIAMS FRANCES E.
Publication year - 1964
Publication title -
british journal of pharmacology and chemotherapy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.432
H-Index - 211
eISSN - 1476-5381
pISSN - 0366-0826
DOI - 10.1111/j.1476-5381.1964.tb01590.x
Subject(s) - reserpine , chlorpromazine , imipramine , antagonism , pharmacology , medicine , autonomic function , receptor , blood pressure , heart rate , alternative medicine , heart rate variability , pathology
Seven structurally‐related compounds consisting of three antidepressant drugs (imipramine, desmethylimipramine and amitriptyline), three tranquillizing agents (promazine, chlorpromazine and chlorprothixene) and a hybrid, desmethylpromazine. have been examined in a series of tests involving autonomic functions and antagonism of reserpine. Activities of the compounds in antagonizing reserpine‐induced ptosis in rabbits and prolongation of alcohol hypnosis in mice give good correlation with their clinical actions, whilst their activities in augmenting excitation of rats by amphetamine and yohimbine toxicity in mice, and in reversing reserpine‐induced bradycardia in rats offer further evidence for drug‐induced sensitization to adrenergic or tryptaminic mechanisms, which is not however specific for antidepressant agents. No evidence has been obtained to indicate that a central parasympatholytic action is an important component of the antidepressant activity of imipramine and related drugs.