Pharmacopoeias. In British and US.

BP 2008 (Protriptyline Hydrochloride). A white to yellowish-white, odourless or almost odourless, powder. Freely soluble in water, in alcohol, and in chloroform practically insoluble in ether A 1% solution in water has a pH of 5.0 to 6.5.

The United States Pharmacopeia 31, 2008 (Protriptyline Hydrochloride). A white to yellowish powder. Is odourless or has not more than a slight odour. Soluble 1 in 2 of water, 1 in 3.5 of alcohol, and 1 in 2.5 of chloroform practically insoluble in ether. pH of a 1% solution in water is between 5.0 and 6.5.

Adverse Effects, Treatment, and Precautions

As for tricyclic antidepressants in general (see amitriptyline“>Amitriptyline).

Since protriptyline may have some stimulant properties anxiety and agitation can occur more frequently cardiovascular effects such as tachycardia and orthostatic hypotension may also be more frequent than with other tricyclics. Photosensitivity rashes have been noted more often with protriptyline than with other tricyclic antidepressants and patients taking it should avoid direct sunlight.

Interactions

For interactions associated with tricyclic antidepressants, see Amitriptyline.

Pharmacokinetics

Protriptyline is well but slowly absorbed after oral doses: licensed drug information states that peak plasma concentrations are achieved only after 8 to 12 hours.

Paths of metabolism of protriptyline include N-oxidation and hydroxylation. Protriptyline is excreted in the urine, mainly in the form of its metabolites, either free or in conjugated form. Protriptyline is widely distributed throughout the body and extensively bound to plasma and tissue protein. Protriptyline has been estimated to have a very prolonged elimination half-life ranging from 55 to 198 hours, which may be further prolonged in overdosage.

Uses and Administration

Protriptyline is a dibenzocycloheptatriene tricyclic antidepressant with actions and uses similar to those of amitriptyline. It is considerably less sedative than other tricyclics and may have a stimulant effect, thus making it particularly suitable for apathetic and withdrawn patients its antimuscarinic effects are moderate.

In the treatment of depression, protriptyline hydrochloride is given in oral doses of 5 to 10 mg three or four times daily. It has been suggested that, because of its potential stimulant activity, any dosage increases should be added to the morning dose first and if insomnia occurs the last dose should be given no later than midafternoon. Higher doses of up to 60 mg daily may be required in severely depressed patients. A suitable initial dose for adolescents and the elderly is 5 mg three times daily close monitoring of the cardiovascular system has been recommended if the dose exceeds a total of 20 mg daily in elderly subjects. Protriptyline should be withdrawn gradually to reduce the risk of withdrawal symptoms.

Preparations

British Pharmacopoeia 2008: Protriptyline Tablets

The United States Pharmacopeia 31, 2008: Protriptyline Hydrochloride Tablets.

Proprietary Preparations

USA: Vivactil.

Answer. I am providing you with a list of commonly used antidepressants, as well as their usual doses:

Maintenance Dosage and Tablet Size for Non-MAOI Antidepressants

With respect to non-addictive medications for anxiety, it is first important to realize that the term addiction is defined in many ways. The medications most commonly used in the treatment of anxiety – the benzodiazepines, such as Valium, Librium, Ativan, etc. – are not highly addictive for the vast majority of people who are prescribed them for the right reasons. These agents may be abused or become habit-forming, however, in individuals with a history of alcohol and substance abuse, and, very rarely, in individuals who do not have such problems. The antianxiety agent buspirone (BuSpar) is a good alternative, and is not habit-forming or prone to abuse; however, while buspirone is useful for generalized anxiety, it is not helpful for panic attacks or obsessive-compulsive states.

Sometimes, low doses of the older tricyclic agents, such as doxepin 15-25 mg/day, may be useful for generalized anxiety in patients who are not good candidates for benzodiazepines. If you want more details about available medications for mood and anxiety disorders, you may want to call the NIMH Depression Awareness program.