Prediction of steady-state plasma levels of nortriptyline from single oral dose kinetics: a study in twins.

Abstract

Five identical (monozygotic) and 6 fraternal (dizygotic) sets of healthy twins between 47 and 53 years of age were given a single oral dose of nortriptyline (NT) hydrochloride 1 mg/kg. The plasma half-life, the apparent volume of distribution, and the plasma clearance of NT were estimated for each subject as well as the urinary excretion rate of conjugated and unconjugated 10-hydroxynortriptyline (10-OH-NT). “Steady-state” plasma levels predicted from the reciprocal single dose plasma clearance rate of NT agreed well with those observed in a previous study of the same twins 2 years previously. In the present study, there was a 5-fold range of the plasma half-lives and 2-fold variation in the apparent volume of distribution of NT (assuming complete availability on oral administration). No correlation was found between the plasma half-life and the apparent volume of distribution. Analysis of variance showed that most of the variability between persons in plasma half-life, apparent volume of distribution and conjugation of 10-OH-NT was genetically determined. The plasma half-life and apparent volume of distribution may contribute independently to the total interindividual variability of the “steady-state” plasma level of NT.