title: Efficacy of tianeptine in comparative trials versus reference antidepressants. An overview.
abstract: The clinical properties of tianeptine have been assessed in double-blind controlled studies, which involved depressed patients fulfilling DSM-III criteria for either major depression--single episode or recurrent (without melancholia and psychotic features)--or dysthymic disorder--with or without an additional diagnosis of alcohol abuse or dependence. Five studies have compared tianeptine with reference antidepressants: its efficacy has been found to be similar to that of amitriptyline in depressed out-patients. However, these data need to be confirmed by other controlled trials v. reference drugs and by at least two placebo-controlled studies. Tianeptine does not induce sleep disorders, anticholinergic effects, or modifications of cardiovascular variables or biological parameters (renal, haematological, or hepatic). After the end of treatment, the only signs of withdrawal have been some disturbances of sleep.
authors.affiliation: Clinique des Maladies Mentales et de l'Encéphale, Paris, France.
authors.forename: J D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Guelfi
mesh_terms: D000639:Amitriptyline / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D006801:Humans; D007099:Imipramine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009627:Nomifensine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010555:Personality Inventory; D013841:Thiazepines / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic; D013841:Thiazepines; C050504:tianeptine; D000639:Amitriptyline; D009627:Nomifensine; D007099:Imipramine