An open-label pilot study of fluvoxamine for mixed anxiety-depression.
The syndrome of mixed anxiety and depression (MAD) has been described and is familiar to both general psychiatrists and nonpsychiatrists. It was included in the DSM-IV appendix as a syndrome proposed for further study. Fluvoxamine, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) approved for the treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder, was studied for its effectiveness in treating anxiety and depression simultaneously during an 8-week, open-label trial of patients with MAD. Thirteen patients were included in the final, intent-to-treat, analysis. Fluvoxamine showed moderately strong effectiveness in improving anxiety and depression with a greater effect on the depressive component. Nausea, insomnia, delayed ejaculation, and nervousness were the most common side effects reported, with no serious adverse events occurring. Future double-blind placebo-controlled studies will give more conclusive results.
Houck
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Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham 35205, USA.
D000328:Adult; D018687:Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D016666:Fluvoxamine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
D018687:Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation; D016666:Fluvoxamine