Moclobemide for depression: an Australian psychiatric practice study.
Seven hundred twelve patients meeting DSM-III-R criteria for major depression and recommended for antidepressant treatment were treated with moclobemide as outpatients (88%) or inpatients in ordinary psychiatric practices. These differ from the highly selected patients usually studied in antidepressant research, without comorbidity, or coprescription and treated in special clinics. Sixty-five percent were women, with a mean age of 45 (+/- 13.6) years, and 88% were outpatients. Eighty-eight percent had preexisting depression. Eight percent had prior manic episodes. Previous antidepressant treatment for this episode had been received by 69%, with the most common reasons for change to moclobemide being inadequate response (66%) and poor tolerability (20%). The modal final dose was 450 mg. Regarding tolerability, 52% did not report adverse events. The most common adverse events were insomnia or stimulation (13%), nausea (11%), headache or migraine (11%), dizziness or disorientation (6%), sedation or drowsiness (5%), agitation or nervousness (3%), and diarrhea (3%). Only 10% of adverse events were severe, and 83% lasted less than 2 weeks. There was no difference when moclobemide followed fluoxetine use. Most adverse events did not significantly differ from the frequencies reported in double-blind placebo-controlled studies. Concomitant medications from all major drug groups were taken by 520 patients (73%), with no adverse interactions. Moclobemide overdose resulted in an uneventful recovery, whereas mixed overdoses caused no problems other than those attributable to coprescribed medication. On physician clinical global impression, 65% were moderately improved or better after 8 weeks.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Tiller
J W
JW
Department of Psychiatry, University of Melbourne, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Victoria, Australia.
Johnson
G F
GF
Burrows
G D
GD
D000328:Adult; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001315:Australia; D001549:Benzamides / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020912:Moclobemide; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011570:Psychiatry
D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D001549:Benzamides; D020912:Moclobemide