Combination therapy using moclobemide with tricyclic and tetracyclic antidepressants to treat therapy-resistant depression.
In an open trial, a combination therapy with 300 mg moclobemide was instituted after adjustment to a classical tricyclic or tetracyclic antidepressant in a group of 23 previously therapy-resistant depressive inpatients (pretreatment with two biochemically different antidepressants over a period of at least 5 weeks with sufficient doses). In 13 patients (53.9%) a significant improvement on the Hamilton Depression Scale (24-item version) of at least 50% was achieved. The improvement in the BPRS was also significant. On the basis of the present findings, a combination therapy with the reversible MAO-inhibitor moclobemide represents an efficacious regimen for therapy-resistant depressions, with low side-effects. After this pilot study, further controlled studies are necessary.
König
F
F
Department of Psychiatry I, University of Ulm, Ravensburg, Germany.
Wolfersdorf
M
M
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001549:Benzamides / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D004351:Drug Resistance; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020912:Moclobemide; D008996:Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic; D001549:Benzamides; D008996:Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors; D020912:Moclobemide