Treatment of nortriptyline's side effects in elderly patients: a double-blind study of bethanechol.

A double-blind, placebo-controlled study of bethanechol was conducted in 26 elderly depressed patients being treated with nortriptyline. Patients receiving bethanechol had reduced subjective complaints of anticholinergic side effects and showed a trend toward improvement on an objective measure of salivary flow. The potential use of bethanechol in older patients to reduce morbidity and improve compliance with medication regimens is discussed.