THE EFFECT OF CERTAIN PSYCHOTROPIC DRUGS ON THE URINARY EXCRETION OF 3-METHOXY-4-HYDROXYMANDELIC ACID IN MAN

¹ Laboratory of Clinical Science, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, U. S. Public Health Service, Department of Health, Education and Welfare, Bethesda, Maryland

Observations have been made on the effect of single doses of six psychotropic drugs on the urinary excretion of VMA in man. Only reserpine caused an increase in VMA excretion and only chlorpromazine caused on unequivocal decrease. The fall in VMA excretion following pentobarbital sodium was of borderline significance. The changes in VMA excretion observed following morphine administration are interpreted to be due predominantly to extra-metabolic factors. Meprobamate and d-amphetamine did not cause any remarkable or consistent changes in VMA excretion. d-Amphetamine did not inhibit monoamine oxidase in the doses used here.