Pheochromocytoma Unmasked by Desipramine Therapy

  1. MICHAEL R. ACHONG, M.B.; and
  2. PAUL M. KEANE, M.B.
  1. McMaster University and St. Joseph's Hospital
    Hamilton, Ontario
    , Canada

    Excerpt

    Three previous case reports have described hemodynamic abnormalities precipitated or triggered by imipramine therapy and leading to recognition of pheochromocytoma (1-3). It has been uncertain whether therapy with other tricyclic antidepressants may unmask pheochromocytoma. We describe the unmasking of pheochromocytoma by desipramine therapy in a patient who showed no adverse effect while receiving amitriptyline intermittently over 9 years.

    A 56-year-old woman presented with a history of severe headache and nausea with vomiting for 2 days. Her symptoms had begun after two doses of desipramine (Norpramin, Merrell-National Laboratories, Cincinnati, Ohio), 25 mg, and ketoprofen (Orudis, Poulenc, Ltd., Montreal, Quebec, Canada). She

    This 100-word excerpt has been provided in the absence of an abstract.

    Article and Author Information

    • ▸Requests for reprints should be addressed to Michael R. Achong, M.B.; Department of Medicine, St. Joseph's Hospital; 50 Charlton Ave. E.; Hamilton, Ontario L8N 1Y4, Canada.

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