Dexamethasone augmentation in treatment-resistant depression.
A total of 10 patients who fulfilled DSM-III-R criteria for major depression were recruited to the study, each of whom had failed to respond to a 6-week course of treatment with either sertraline or fluoxetine. Each subject had baseline serum cortisol measurements together with a Hamilton depression (HAMD) score. All patients were started on dexamethasone (3 mg daily) for 4 days, while remaining on their antidepressant treatment. Further Hamilton ratings were made on days 5 and 21. Six patients showed a significant improvement, whilst two showed a minimal response. A good clinical response was associated with a high baseline cortisol level.
Dinan
T G
TG
Department of Psychological Medicine, St Bartholomew's Hospital, London, UK.
Lavelle
E
E
Cooney
J
J
Burnett
F
F
Scott
L
L
Dash
A
A
Thakore
J
J
Berti
C
C
D015057:1-Naphthylamine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D000328:Adult; D018687:Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D005473:Fluoxetine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood; D007030:Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010555:Personality Inventory; D010913:Pituitary-Adrenal System / Q000187:drug effects; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D020280:Sertraline; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D015057:1-Naphthylamine; D018687:Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation; D003907:Dexamethasone; D005473:Fluoxetine; D006854:Hydrocortisone; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors; D020280:Sertraline