Amitriptyline stimulates weight gain in hemodialysis patients
Zetin, M.; Frost, N.R.; Brumfield, D.; Stone, R.A.
Clinical Nephrology 18(2): 79-82
1982
ISSN/ISBN: 0301-0430 PMID: 6754192 Document Number: 191282
Sixteen chronic hemodialysis patients were enrolled in a double blind 13 week study of amitriptyline vs. placebo in non-crossover design. Patients receiving active drug reached therapeutic serum concentrations at doses of 50 to 200 mg/day, but antidepressant effect was not demonstrable. Patients receiving active drug had slightly greater fluctuation in weight pre- vs. Post-dialysis and had slightly greater postural hypotension post-dialysis than control patients. The trend in post-dialysis weight indicated gain in the active drug group and loss in the placebo group; this difference was highly statistically significant. Weight gain in depression and anorexia nervosa patients treated with amitriptyline is reviewed and it is suggested that amitriptyline may be a useful agent in stimulating appetite in other diseases also.