Desipramine versus phenelzine in recurrent unipolar depression: clinical characteristics and treatment response.
We compared desipramine with phenelzine in a double-blind, parallel-groups study of 43 outpatients with recurrent unipolar depression. Response to the two drugs was similar, with an overall average reduction in scores on the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression of about 50% over 6 weeks. Improvement was negatively correlated with initial severity of depression, especially in patients treated with desipramine. Response to desipramine was better in patients with moderate to severe stressors and no previous hospitalizations. Response to either treatment was better in patients whose course consisted of recurrent depressions with a stable baseline, even if the baseline was dysthymic.
Swann
A C
AC
Department of Psychiatry, University of Texas Medical School, Houston 77030, USA.
Bowden
C L
CL
Rush
A J
AJ
Rhoades
H
H
Rose
R
R
Kobes
R
R
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D003891:Desipramine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008996:Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010624:Phenelzine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012008:Recurrence; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric
D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic; D008996:Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors; D010624:Phenelzine; D003891:Desipramine