Continuation therapy with tricyclic antidepressants in relapsing depressive illness.
Patients who have suffered a depressive illness frequently relapse when treatment is stopped. A controlled study of continued medication after clinical recovery was carried out. Of 92 patients studied, 22% of those who received amitriptyline or imipramine relapsed during 6 months of observation, compared with 50% of those who received placebo. Patients who experienced persistent residual symptoms derived more benefit from the active drug during continuation treatment than those who made a complete recovery from their illness.
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000639:Amitriptyline / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007099:Imipramine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012008:Recurrence
D000639:Amitriptyline; D007099:Imipramine