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British Journal of Pharmacology and Chemotherapy logoLink to British Journal of Pharmacology and Chemotherapy
. 1964 Oct;23(2):330–350. doi: 10.1111/j.1476-5381.1964.tb01590.x

A comparison of imipramine, chlorpromazine and related drugs in various tests involving autonomic functions and antagonism of reserpine

G Halliwell, R M Quinton, Frances E Williams
PMCID: PMC1704096  PMID: 14228134

Abstract

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.

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Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

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