title: Differential effect of amitriptyline and bupropion on primary and secondary depression: a pilot study.
abstract: In a prospective, controlled, double-blind study, 37 patients with major depressive disorder were subclassified into primary depression (N = 25) and secondary (N = 12) depression and treated with either amitriptyline (primary depressives N = 13, secondary depressives N = 6) or bupropion (primary depressives N = 12, secondary depressives N = 6). A differential response to the novel antidepressant bupropion was observed between the two diagnostic subgroups, but no differential response to amitriptyline was observed; patients with primary depression and secondary depression responded equally well to amitriptyline but not to bupropion. Our results provide pharmacological evidence supporting the usefulness of this subclassification of depression.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000639:Amitriptyline / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000150:complications; D016642:Bupropion; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004341:Drug Evaluation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011427:Propiophenones / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011897:Random Allocation
chemical_list: D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D011427:Propiophenones; D016642:Bupropion; D000639:Amitriptyline