Fluoxetine in tricyclic refractory major depressive disorder.
Data regarding open-label treatment with fluoxetine following failure to respond to tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) or intolerance of TCA side effects, suggest a response rate between 51.4% and 62.1%, depending on the definition of TCA refractoriness employed. Double-blind study of this issue would extend these findings. Fluoxetine is well tolerated in patients unable to tolerate TCAs. Within this population, more than 80% of patients unable to tolerate TCAs found fluoxetine acceptable. Fluoxetine, as an alternative to polypharmaceutical augmentation, may represent a logical choice as the next step in therapy for a patient who has initially been treated with a TCA and has proven refractory or intolerant.
Beasley
C M
CM
Division of Clinical Neurosciences, Lilly Research Laboratories, Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, IN 46285.
Sayler
M E
ME
Cunningham
G E
GE
Weiss
A M
AM
Masica
D N
DN
D000328:Adult; D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D005473:Fluoxetine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012008:Recurrence
D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic; D005473:Fluoxetine