title: A double-blind study of L-sulpiride versus amitriptyline in lithium-maintained bipolar depressives.
abstract: A double-blind group comparison study of L-sulpiride and amitriptyline was carried out in 30 bipolar outpatients on maintenance treatment with lithium suffering from a major depressive recurrence. L-sulpiride showed equivalent antidepressant activity to amitriptyline at 4 weeks using the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression. However, the onset of action was faster in the L-sulpiride group, showing a significant improvement at 1 week in both anxiety-somatization and specific depression items, including depressed mood, feelings of guilt, work & activities and retardation. The incidence of anticholinergic side effects was significantly higher in the amitriptyline treatment group.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neuroscience Bernard B. Brodie, University of Cagliari, Italy.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bocchetta
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Bernardi
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Burrai
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pedditzi
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Del Zompo
mesh_terms: D000553:Ambulatory Care; D000639:Amitriptyline / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D003248:Constipation / Q000139:chemically induced; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008094:Lithium / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010555:Personality Inventory; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012894:Sleep Stages; D013469:Sulpiride / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014202:Tremor / Q000139:chemically induced; D014987:Xerostomia / Q000139:chemically induced
chemical_list: D000639:Amitriptyline; D013469:Sulpiride; D008094:Lithium