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.
Joffe
R T
RT
Department of Psychiatry, St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, Ont., Canada.
Singer
W
W
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