title: [Double-blind comparative study on the effects of lofepramine and amitriptyline in depressive outpatients (author's transl)].
abstract: The anticholinergic side-effects of tricyclic antidepressants are unpleasant for the patients. Lofepramine, a new tricyclic antidepressant, has in animal studies been shown to have weak anticholinergic effects and a low acute toxicity. The aim of the present study was to see whether these pharmacological properties led to a lower rate of side-effects in depressed patients. In a double-blind trial 40 outpatients were treated with lofepramine or amitriptyline. Assessments were made with the Hamilton Scale, the Wakefield Self-Assessment Scale and a Side-effect Scale. 33 patients completed the trial. Both drugs proved effective. There were small differences in favour of lofepramine both in therapeutic efficacy and frequency of side-effects.
mesh_terms: D000639:Amitriptyline / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003863:Depression / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003984:Dibenzazepines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male
chemical_list: D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic; D003984:Dibenzazepines; D000639:Amitriptyline
vernacular_title: Doppelbindversuch zum Wirkungsvergleich von Lofepramin und Amitriptylin bei ambulant behandelten Patienten mit depressiven Zustandsbildern