Use of bupropion in patients who exhibit orthostatic hypotension on tricyclic antidepressants.

Patients who developed clinically significant and documented orthostatic hypotension during treatment with tricyclic antidepressants were withdrawn from the tricyclic for at least 5 days. During a baseline period of 3-7 days a placebo identical to bupropion was then administered. A baseline electrocardiogram, psychiatric scale ratings, vital signs, clinical laboratory and physical exam were performed on those patients on placebo who were free of orthostatic hypotension for 3 consecutive days. Patients were then transferred to an ascending dosage regimen of bupropion. Only patients who were treated with bupropion for at least 7 days and who received a daily dose of at least 450 mg were considered to have completed the study. The results in 12 inpatients in 2 centers showed that bupropion produced no clinically significant alterations in pulse rate, systolic blood pressure or orthostasis as compared to placebo in patients who had clinically significant orthostatic hypotension caused by tricyclic treatment.