A comparison of the effects of single doses of mianserin and amitriptyline on psychomotor tests in normal volunteers.

Eight healthy volunteers received single doses of either mianserin 10 mg, mianserin 20 mg, amitriptyline 25 mg or placebo. Critical flicker frequency, reaction time, digit substitution and addition times were tested up to six hours afterwards. Mianserin 20 mg and amitriptyline 25 mg significantly prolonged reaction time and mianserin 10 mg and 20 mg significantly reduced critical flicker frequency. No other significant effects were found. Patients should be warned of possible sedation when first starting treatment with mianserin.