Pheochromocytoma Unmasked by Desipramine Therapy
Authors: Michael R. Achong, Paul M. Keane
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (1981)

Brief Reports1 March 1981Pheochromocytoma Unmasked by Desipramine TherapyMICHAEL R. ACHONG, M.B., PAUL M. KEANE, M.B.MICHAEL R. ACHONG, M.B.Search for more papers by this author, PAUL M. KEANE, M.B.Search for more papers by this authorAuthor, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-94-3-358 SectionsAboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail ExcerptThree 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...References1. KAUFMANN J. Pheochromocytoma and tricyclic antidepressants. JAMA. 1974;229:1282. Letter. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar2. MOKSWANN JI. Diagnosis of pheochromocytoma after ingestion of imipramine. Arch Dis Child. 1978;53:676-7. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar3. JOHNSONJONESSTEWART EMJ. Occurrence of a pheochromocytoma after ingestion of imipramine. J Am Osteopathic Assoc. 1979;78:332-5. MedlineGoogle Scholar4. MAAS J. Biogenic amines and depression: biochemical and pharmacological separation of two types of depression. Arch Gen Psychiat. 1975;32:1357-61. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar5. GHOSE K. Assessment of peripheral adrenergic activity and its interactions with drugs in man. Europ J Clin Pharmacol. 1980;17:233-8. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar6. ANANTHLUCHINS JD. A review of combined tricyclic and MAO I therapy. Compr Psychiat. 1977;18:221-30. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar7. SWETT C. Adverse reactions to chlorpromazine in medical patients: a report from the Boston Collaborative Drug Surveillance Program. Boston University Medical Center. Curr Therap Res. 1975;18:199-206. MedlineGoogle Scholar8. HAYESBORNROSENBAUM JGA. Incidence of orthostatic hypotension in patients with primary affective disorders treated with tricyclic antidepressants. Mayo Clinic Proc. 1977;52:509-12. MedlineGoogle Scholar9. HESSOV I. Hypertention during imipramine therapy. Lancet. 1970;1:84-5. Letter. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar This content is PDF only. To continue reading please click on the PDF icon. Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAffiliations: McMaster University St. Joseph's Hospital Hamilton, Ontario Canada PreviousarticleNextarticle Advertisement FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Metrics Cited ByPseudo-phéochromocytome médicamenteux sous iproniazide : à propos d’un casCardiovascular Manifestations of Endocrine DysfunctionAdverse Drug Reactions in Patients with PhaeochromocytomaEmergencies Caused by Pheochromocytoma, Neuroblastoma, or GanglioneuromaKardiogener Schock bei 61-jähriger Patientin mit rezidivierenden PanikattackenPheochromocytoma Unmasked by Amisulpride and TiaprideMonoaminergic‐based Pharmacotherapy for DepressionPheochromocytoma unmasked by imipramine in an 8-year-old girlClomipramine-Induced Pheochromocytoma CrisisPheochromocytomaPheochromocytoma: New concepts and future trendsDPheochromocytomaPheochromocytomaPheochromocytomaPheochromocytoma Diagnosed in an Enuretic Boy after Imipramine-Induced HypertensionUnmasking of cerebellar tumours by amitriptyline in depressive patients. 1 March 1981Volume 94, Issue 3Page: 358-359KeywordsHeadachesHemodynamicsHospital medicineNauseaPheochromocytomaTricyclic antidepressantsVomiting Issue Published: 1 March 1981 PDF DownloadLoading ...