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Articles
Amitriptyline and nortriptyline preparations
Abstract
Amitriptyline was introduced by Merck, Sharp and Dohme in 1961 and is widely used in the treatment of depression. Its value is not established, and it is not included in the BP or BPC. The drug is now available in 10 and 25 mg tablets from three manufacturers: Laroxyl (Roche), Saroten (Warner) and Tryptizol (MSD). Not surprisingly these tablets differ from each other in appearance, but it is surprising that they do not all contain the same amount of drug. Tryptizol tablets contain 10 or 25 mg of amitriptyline hydrochloride, whereas Laroxyl and Saroten contain 10 or 25 mg amitriptyline (base), present as 11. 3 or 28. 3 mg of the hydrochloride, or about 13% more than Tryptizol.