Abstract
Imipramine is a tricyclic antidepressant that is widely used for the treatment of major depression. There is a possibility that toxic interactions occur following combined use of imipramine and intake of alcohol. In this study, we investigated the in vitro interaction between ethanol and imipramine at high concentrations by observing a mixed-function oxidation reaction using human liver microsomes. Imipramine and its three main metabolites (desipramine; 2-hydroxyimipramine, 2-OHI; 2-hydroxydesipramine, 2-OHD) were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection. The production of 2-OHD, the main metabolite of imipramine, was significantly inhibited, by 15%–50% (P < 0.05), by ethanol, but that of desipramine or 2-OHI was not. These results suggest that enhanced toxicity is attained by simultaneous use of ethanol and high dose of imipramine in the human body.
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Tanaka, E., Nakamura, T., Terada, M. et al. An in vitro study on the interaction between ethanol and imipramine at high concentrations using human liver microsomes. Forensic Toxicol 25, 96–99 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11419-007-0036-4
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11419-007-0036-4