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TORONTO--How quickly and how effectively tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) work may depend on whether patients are slow or rapid metabolizers.
A study done by researchers from the University of Western Ontario in London found that one in four patients treated for depression may be rapid metabolizers, meaning many aren't responding because they aren't getting therapeutic doses.
Results were presented at the recent meeting of the American Psychiatric Association (APA).
Many patients who get labeled non-responders may actually be rapid or ultra-rapid metabolizers, said Dr. Robert Kraus, director of the affective disorders program at the London Health Sciences Centre. "It's not really treatment resistance, most do fine ... once they get an adequate level (of drug)."
The researchers did a study to determine how common rapid metabolizers are in the general population of patients with depression.
Patients taking TCAs were selected because routine blood work information was available, Dr. Kraus...