Trazodone + clomipramine Blepharospasm

Trazodone 100mg and clomipramine 100mg were administered to a 47-year­old man for treatment of resistant endogenous depression. After 3 months of treatment. the patient reported excessive blinking. The reaction varied with the antidepressant dosage, increasing as the dosage of trazodone equalled or exceeded that of clomipramine. Trazodone was withdrawn and clomipramine continued. The blinking had returned to normal by 3 weeks after withdrawal. The patient became depressed again and trazodone 100mg was reintroduced. Excessive blinking recurred 3 days later but disappeared on increasing the dose of clomipramine to 150mg. Two months later, trazodone was again withdrawn and blinking remained normal. 'Possibly excessive blinking was induced by trazodone with some protection conferred by clomipramine.' Cooper MA, Dening TR. BritIsh Medical Journal 293: 1243, 8 Nov 1986

10 Reactions'" 22 Nov 1986 0157-7271/86/1122-0010/0$01.00/0 @ADIS Press