Treatment with reserpine of patients resistant to tricyclic antidepressants. A double-blind trial.
The literature concerning the therapeutic effects of the administration of reserpine to patients who fail to respond satisfactorily is discussed briefly. A double-blind study was conducted on 14 patients; eight were given 5 mg of reserpine i.m. and six were given 2 ml of normal saline on 2 successive days. The administration of the tricyclic antidepressants the patients had been taking, was continued. The Hamilton Depressive Rating Scale was administered on the day before treatment was commenced, and repeated on the fourth day. Statistical analysis revealed that the patients who received reserpine showed a highly significant improvement of a good quality. The mean fall in the Hamilton rating for the placebo group was 6 points, and in the reserpine group it was 18.87. The therapeutic significance of the findings is discussed.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003863:Depression / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004341:Drug Evaluation; D004351:Drug Resistance; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010919:Placebos; D012110:Reserpine / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic; D010919:Placebos; D012110:Reserpine