Potentiation of antidepressant effects by L-triiodothyronine in tricyclic nonresponders.
Six women and 6 men who were treated in double-blind fashion major depressive illness did not respond to imipramine or amitriptyline, 150-300 mg/day, during periods of 26-112 days. After the addition of 25 micrograms/day (10 patients) or 50 micrograms/day (2 patients) of L-triiodothyronine (T3), 9 patients showed statistically significant improvement in depression scores; in 8 patients the response was marked. Improvement generally began within 1-3 days and was noted in all aspects of the depressive syndrome; side effects were minimal. T3 did not change plasma levels of imipramine or desipramine or their ratio but did suppress serum thyroxine.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000639:Amitriptyline / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003891:Desipramine / Q000097:blood; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004357:Drug Synergism; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007099:Imipramine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D013974:Thyroxine / Q000097:blood; D014284:Triiodothyronine / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic; D014284:Triiodothyronine; D000639:Amitriptyline; D007099:Imipramine; D013974:Thyroxine; D003891:Desipramine