Double-blind study of the efficacy and safety of milnacipran and imipramine in elderly patients with major depressive episode.
The novel antidepressant agent milnacipran is a dual and equipotent serotonin and noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor. The aim of this double-blind study was to compare the efficacy and safety of milnacipran (50 mg twice daily) with that of imipramine (50 mg twice daily) in elderly patients with major depressive episode. A total of 219 patients were randomly assigned to 8 weeks of double-blind treatment with either milnacipran or imipramine; 72 patients withdrew from the study. At the end of treatment no significant differences were found between milnacipran and imipramine in antidepressant efficacy. A significantly greater number of side-effects, particularly anticholinergic effects, was observed in the imipramine group. Milnacipran may be preferable to imipramine in elderly depressed patients, as it provides the same antidepressant activity as imipramine with a lower incidence of side-effects, and does not impair cognitive ability.
Tignol
J
J
Department of Psychiatry, Hôpital Charles Perrens, Bordeaux, France.
Pujol-Domenech
J
J
Chartres
J P
JP
Léger
J M
JM
Plétan
Y
Y
Tonelli
I
I
Tournoux
A
A
Pezous
N
N
D018759:Adrenergic Uptake Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003521:Cyclopropanes / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007099:Imipramine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D000078764:Milnacipran; D010555:Personality Inventory; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D018759:Adrenergic Uptake Inhibitors; D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic; D003521:Cyclopropanes; D007099:Imipramine; D000078764:Milnacipran; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors