Gepirone in the treatment of major depression.
Gepirone is a serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) type1A receptor agonist and a pharmacologic analogue of buspirone. Two double-blind, placebo-controlled studies show the efficacy of gepirone in the treatment of major depression. Study 1 demonstrates gepirone's superiority over placebo in an 8-week acute treatment of patients with major depression, including the melancholic subtype. Gepirone's antidepressant dose range is tentatively established at 5-30 mg/day. Study 2 reveals the benefit of gepirone compared with placebo in 4-week continuation therapy of patients with major depression who initially responded to 6 weeks of open therapy with gepirone. Analysis of Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression item scores show gepirone especially improves scores on items of core depression.
Jenkins
S W
SW
Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Pharmaceutical Research and Development Division, Wallingford, CT 06492-7660.
Robinson
D S
DS
Fabre
L F
LF
Andary
J J
JJ
Messina
M E
ME
Reich
L A
LA
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011743:Pyrimidines / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents; D011743:Pyrimidines; C039979:gepirone