Objective: Our main objective was the development of a research methodology in order to assess the phototoxic potential on in vitro erythrocytes of five frequently used tricyclic antidepressants derivates.
Methods: The hemolytic effect of imipramine, clomipramine, amitryptiline, nortryptiline, doxepine hydrochloride was studied on erythrocytes after irradiation with UV light.
Results: The studied substances exhibited phototoxic effects on erythrocytes in the presence of UV light, causing their lysis to a greater extent than the one observed in a saline erythrocytes solution irradiated with UV light.
Discussions: The differences between the effects of the studied antidepressants on erythrocyte lysis in UV light are noticeable, the most pronounced effect being observed in the case of clomipramine hydrochloride and the lowest being observed in the case of doxepin hydrochloride.
Conclusions: The molecular structure influences significantly the phototoxic character of the studied substances. The molecule photosensitivity is not directly proportional with the phototoxic potential of the tricyclic antidepressants.