The efficacy of reversible monoamine oxidase inhibitors in depressive illness.
The introduction of selective and reversible inhibitors of MAO-A (RIMA) has led to the re-examination of new MAO inhibitors in psychiatry. This paper reviews three controlled trials comparing moclobemide with imipramine and clomipramine. According to the data presented, moclobemide is as effective as imipramine and clomipramine in treating endogenous depression. Moreover, in a comparison with clomipramine, in patients with endogenous depression, moclobemide led to an earlier improvement in symptoms. A separate trial of moclobemide and clomipramine in outpatients with non endogenous depression found a comparable time of onset of clinical effect. Patients treated with moclobemide also showed greater tolerance after six and 12 weeks of treatment than patients treated with clomipramine. The three trials discussed found the RIMA compounds to be free of any serious adverse effects and generally better tolerated than the tricyclic compound with which they were compared.
Roth
M
M
Trinity College, Cambridge England.
Guelfi
J D
JD
D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001549:Benzamides / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002997:Clomipramine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007099:Imipramine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D020912:Moclobemide; D008996:Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic; D001549:Benzamides; D008996:Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors; D002997:Clomipramine; D007099:Imipramine; D020912:Moclobemide