A comparison of triiodothyronine and thyroxine in the potentiation of tricyclic antidepressants.
Several studies suggest that small amounts of triiodothyronine (T3) will convert tricyclic antidepressant nonresponders into responders within a few days to a few weeks. As thyroxine (T4) is converted to T3 to have its physiological effect, it has been assumed that T4 would have a similar antidepressant effect to that of T3. We carried out a randomized, double-blind evaluation of the antidepressant-potentiating effect of T3 as compared with T4. Significantly more patients responded to 3 weeks of T3 as compared with T4 potentiation. Small but significant differential effects of the two thyroid hormones were noted on the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression.
Department of Psychiatry, St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, Ont., Canada.
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Joffe
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Singer
D000328:Adult; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D003891:Desipramine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004357:Drug Synergism; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007099:Imipramine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008297:Male; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D013960:Thyroid Function Tests; D013974:Thyroxine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D014284:Triiodothyronine / Q000008:administration & dosage*
D014284:Triiodothyronine; D007099:Imipramine; D013974:Thyroxine; D003891:Desipramine