Reactions 463 - 7 Aug 1993

Lofepramine

Hepatotoxicity in elderly patients: incidence studyThe effects of lofepramine on liver function tests (LFTs) were

examined in an open prospective study in 52 patients withdepression aged > 65 years. Treatment comprisedlofepramine 140 mg/day for 12 weeks. Of the 43 evaluablepatients with normal LFTs at baseline, 4 patients had elevatedaspartate transaminase (AST) and 20 patients had elevatedalkaline phosphatase (ALP) at some time during the studyperiod. In most patients, LFT values returned to normalspontaneously. Lofepramine was withdrawn from 1 patient,while 3 patients continued treatment with elevated ALP levels.

Author comment: ‘For treatment of depression in theelderly, lofepramine remains an effective and safeantidepressant. When patients’ LFTs are monitored closely anyelevation in enzyme activity is, in the majority of cases,transient.’Kelly C, et al. A prospective evaluation of the hepatotoxicity of lofepramine in theelderly. International Clinical Psychopharmacology 8: 83-86, No. 2, 1993 -England 800208204

1

Reactions 7 Aug 1993 No. 4630114-9954/10/0463-0001/$14.95 Adis © 2010 Springer International Publishing AG. All rights reserved