Desipramine and amphetamine metabolism

Abstract

Desipramine (2.5–5 mg/kg) increases the urinary excretion of amphetamine given intraperitoneally at doses of 7.5–15 mg/kg and it decreases the excretion of p-hydroxyamphetamine. The rate of removal of brain amphetamine is decreased by desipramine (5 mg/kg, i.p.) when amphetamine is injected intraperitoneally but not when it is injected intracerebrally. It is suggested that desipramine impairs the hydroxylation of amphetamine in the liver thereby increasing the level of circulating amphetamine and eventually of brain amphetamine.