Amisulpride versus amineptine and placebo for the treatment of dysthymia.
Amisulpride, a selective antagonist for D2 and D3 dopamine receptors, acts preferentially on presynaptic receptors increasing dopaminergic transmission at low doses. In a multicentre, 3-month, placebo-controlled study, amisulpride (50 mg/day) was compared to amineptine (200 mg/day) in the treatment of primary dysthymia. A total of 323 patients were enrolled. Amisulpride and amineptine were found to be statistically superior to placebo (p < 0.0001) on the Clinical Global Impression (item 2): 63, 64 and 33% responders, respectively; improvement of Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale and Scale for the Assessment of Negative Symptoms scores following amisulpride or amineptine treatment was twice as high as with placebo (p < 0.0001). The adverse event profile of amisulpride was similar to that of placebo except for endocrine symptoms in female patients; amineptine showed mainly events linked to psychic activation (insomnia, nervousness). Results show that amisulpride can improve symptoms of chronic depression in dysthymia.
Boyer
P
P
Unité INSERM 302, Hôpital Salpêtrière, Paris, France.
Lecrubier
Y
Y
Stalla-Bourdillon
A
A
Fleurot
O
O
D000077582:Amisulpride; D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003986:Dibenzocycloheptenes / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D019263:Dysthymic Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D013469:Sulpiride / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D003986:Dibenzocycloheptenes; C011597:amineptin; D013469:Sulpiride; D000077582:Amisulpride