An open study of buspirone augmentation of serotonin reuptake inhibitors in refractory depression.
BACKGROUND
We evaluated the efficacy of buspirone in the augmentation of antidepressant response to the serotonin reuptake inhibitors.


METHODS
Twenty-five patients with major depressive disorder who had failed several previous treatments for their current depressive episode were included. After failing a trial of fluoxetine or fluvoxamine, they received buspirone in addition to the serotonin reuptake inhibitor for 3 weeks in an open clinical trial.


RESULTS
Seventeen of 25 patients had a marked or complete antidepressant response.


CONCLUSIONS
These data provide clinical evidence suggesting that buspirone augmentation may be useful clinical alternative in depressed patients who fail to respond to a serotonin reuptake inhibitor.
Joffe
R T
RT
Mood Disorders Program, Clarke Institute of Psychiatry, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Schuller
D R
DR
D000328:Adult; D000553:Ambulatory Care; D002065:Buspirone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D003891:Desipramine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D005473:Fluoxetine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016666:Fluvoxamine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D002065:Buspirone; D003891:Desipramine; D005473:Fluoxetine; D016666:Fluvoxamine; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors