Mental retardation with major depressive disorder

ADHD, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder EKG, electrocardiogram GI, gastrointestinal MD, major depression MR, mental retardation OCD, obsessive-compulsive disorder PTSD, post-traumatic stress disorder. Trade names are in parentheses. Doses are general guidelines. All doses must be individualized with appropriate monitoring. Weight-corrected doses are less appropriate for obese children. 

Desipramine is a tricyclic antidepressant, inhibits reuptake of norepinephrine and serotonin in CNS, and is indicated in relief of symptoms of depression. Desipramine (75 to 150 mg p.o./day in divided doses) is indicated in endogenous depression major depression with melancholia or psychotic symptoms depression associated with organic brain disease, alcoholism, schizophrenia, or mental retardation and the depressive phase of manic-depressive disorder. Desipramine is absorbed rapidly from the GI tract, distributed widely in the body, and appears also in breast miUc. It is bound to plasma proteins to the extent of 90%, undergoes extensive first-pass metabolism, and its metabolites are excreted in urine. Desipramine strongly blocks the norepinephrine uptake mechanism and has no effect on the uptake of serotonin. Desipramine has weak alpha -adrenergic and... 

The dibenzapine derivatives are called tricyclic antidepressants and include imipramine (Tofranil), desipramine (Norpramin), amitriptyline (Elavil), nortriptyline (Aventyl), protriptyline (Vivactil), and doxepin (Adapin). Amitriptyline is indicated in depression major depression with melancholia or psychotic symptoms depressive phase of bipolar disorder depression associated with organic disease, alcoholism, schizophrenia, or mental retardation anorexia or bulimia associated with depression (see Figure 20). 

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