Fluoxetine versus phenelzine in atypical depression.
A study was conducted to compare the relative efficacy of fluoxetine and phenelzine in patients with mood-reactive atypical depression. Forty-two patients with atypical depression by the Columbia criteria were studied in a randomized, double-blind treatment study. Following a single-blind placebo lead-in, patients received fluoxetine 20-60 mg/day or phenelzine 45-90 mg/day for 6 weeks. Efficacy was measured by the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, the Clinical Global Impression (Severity and Improvement) scales, and the Patient Global Impression (Improvement) scale. Of 42 patients randomized, 2 patients never received drugs and 2 phenelzine-treated patients dropped out prior to completion; the remainder completed the 6 weeks of the study. The rates of treatment response did not differ between groups. With a few exceptions (e.g., tremor), phenelzine produced more frequent adverse effects than fluoxetine. It was concluded that fluoxetine is as effective as phenelzine in the treatment of atypical depression, but produces fewer adverse effects and is better tolerated.
University of Michigan Department of Psychiatry, Ann Arbor, USA.
A C
AC
Pande
M
M
Birkett
S
S
Fechner-Bates
R F
RF
Haskett
J F
JF
Greden
D000328:Adult; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005473:Fluoxetine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008996:Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010624:Phenelzine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D005473:Fluoxetine; D008996:Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors; D010624:Phenelzine; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors