Abstract
This paper reports on an investigation of the effects of the long-term administration of a new dibenzoxapine antidepressant, amoxapine, (200 mg/day), on the nocturnal sleep patterns of a group of normal young males. Continuous polygraphic recordings of sleep were made prior to, during and after discontinuation of the drug.
Soporific activity was minimal in these subjects as assessed by sleep latency, wake time and total sleep time. However, sleep architecture was profoundly modified by the drug. Although no notable alterations in stages 1 and 2 were observed, significant increases in stages 3 and 4 (delta) occurred. REM sleep was reduced in a reciprocal manner to delta. These modifications were most pronounced on the initial drug night and, though trending toward the baseline levels during the course of drug administration, persisted throughout the latter. Following discontinuation of the drug, an increase in REM and decrease in delta sleep was noted but the peak intensity of the compensatory trend was delayed until the second week of withdrawal.
With respect to its effect on sleep, this new dibenzoxapine compound resembles more closely amitriptyline, a dibenzazapine (tricyclic), than other antidepressants thus far investigated.
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Brebbia, D.R., Branchey, M.H., Pyne, E. et al. The effects of amoxapine on electroencephalographic stages of sleep in normal human subjects. Psychopharmacologia 45, 1–7 (1975). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00426203
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00426203