Combined MAO-inhibitor and tri- (tetra) cyclic antidepressant treatment in therapy resistant depression.
1. One aspect of using MAO-inhibitors - combining them with tricyclic antidepressants in the treatment of therapy resistant depression - has always been controversely discussed in regard to its unusual toxicity and efficacy. 2. To obtain detailled information about safety and efficacy of such a combined treatment, the charts of 94 inpatients treated with a tranylcypromine - tri- (tetra) cyclic antidepressant combination were reviewed. 3. Within a mean treatment period of 21.9 days, 68% of the patients demonstrated a very good or good improvement to combined treatment, the most effective combination being tranylcypromine + amitriptyline. 4. The incidence of side effects among the patients on the combined regimen was slightly, but not significantly lower as compared to the patients on single tri- (tetra) cyclic antidepressant treatment. 5. Our retrospective study supports the general safety and efficacy of combined MAOI-TCA treatment and suggests that combined treatment, if properly administered, leads to neither serious complications nor an inordinate number of side effects.
Schmauss
M
M
Department of Psychiatry, University of Munich, West Germany.
Kapfhammer
H P
HP
Meyr
P
P
Hoff
P
P
D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D014191:Tranylcypromine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014268:Trifluoperazine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D014268:Trifluoperazine; D014191:Tranylcypromine