Teratogenic effect of amitriptyline and amineptine antidepressants: an experimental study on albino rats

ABSTRACT

Teratogenicity of amitriptyline and amineptine antidepressants was investigated in pups of 60 dams. They were divided into three equal groups. The first group was served as a control. The second and third groups were treated orally, by gavage, with daily therapeutic doses of amitriptyline [0.0054 mg/g b.w.] and amineptine [0.009 mg/g b.w.], respectively, from the first day of gestation till the end of pregnancy. On the 20th day of gestation, ten dams from each group were sacrificed and their uteri and pups were examined and followed up for four weeks. The data of the present study proved the teratogenic potential risk of amitriptyline and amineptine antidepressants in albino rats and it was recommended that these drugs should not be prescribed during pregnancy