Nefazodone and imipramine in major depression: a placebo-controlled trial.
Nefazodone is a phenylpiperazine antidepressant with 5-HT2 antagonism and 5-HT reuptake inhibition. Two hundred and eighty-three out-patients with a diagnosis of DSM-III-R major depression of at least one-month duration (65% ill for over 6 months), and a mean score of 24 on the 17-item Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HRSD), were randomised to treatment with nefazodone, imipramine, or placebo. The double-blind treatment period was 8 weeks in duration. Nefazodone's antidepressant efficacy was comparable with imipramine's, with both drug treatments significantly better than placebo in a variety of outcome measures. For example, after 8 weeks of therapy, 78% of nefazodone and 83% of imipramine but only 55% of placebo patients (P < 0.01) were globally much or very much improved. Nefazodone was better tolerated than imipramine, with fewer drop-outs and a lower incidence of side-effects during treatment.
Rickels
K
K
Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia.
Schweizer
E
E
Clary
C
C
Fox
I
I
Weise
C
C
D000328:Adult; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007099:Imipramine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010555:Personality Inventory; D010879:Piperazines; D014230:Triazoles / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D010879:Piperazines; D014230:Triazoles; C051752:nefazodone; D007099:Imipramine