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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by PhoenixGirl on December 4, 2000, at 10:45:18
I started desipramine about a week ago. My pupils seem to have gotten more dilated since then! What's up with that, and what can be done about it? It has worsened my night vision.
Posted by Sunnely on December 4, 2000, at 20:08:23
In reply to Dilated pupils caused by TCAs??, posted by PhoenixGirl on December 4, 2000, at 10:45:18
> I started desipramine about a week ago. My pupils seem to have gotten more dilated since then! What's up with that, and what can be done about it? It has worsened my night vision.
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Hi PhoenixGirl,
Indeed, tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) such as desipramine (Norpramin) can cause pupils to dilate. This is due to their anticholinergic effect. This may cause blurred vision, in particular affecting your ability to read closely (failure of accommodation). This anticholinergic effect results from ciliary (inner eye) muscle relaxation. This poses no serious danger unless you have a type of glaucoma (narrow-angle glaucoma), which TCAs could cause significant eye damage. Tolerance (effect wears off) to this anticholinergic effect sometimes develops over the first few weeks of drug treatment.
Posted by Elizabeth on December 31, 2000, at 0:06:29
In reply to Re: Dilated pupils caused by TCAs?? » PhoenixGirl, posted by Sunnely on December 4, 2000, at 20:08:23
> Indeed, tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) such as desipramine (Norpramin) can cause pupils to dilate. This is due to their anticholinergic effect.
Desipramine doesn't have much in the way of direct anticholinergic activity, but the NE uptake inhibition might have the same effect.
BTW, I've heard that belladonna -- the plant that atropine and scopolamine come from -- got its name because dilated pupils were regarded as a sign of beauty (and in particular, that Italian prostitutes used to use atropine eyedrops). Urban legend?
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