Pramipexole augmentation in the treatment of unipolar and bipolar depression: a retrospective chart review.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the effectiveness and safety of pramipexole as an adjunctive medication in refractory bipolar and unipolar depression in a naturalistic setting.


METHODS
Retrospective chart review by psychiatrists on staff at a university hospital identified all patients who had received pramipexole. Response was based on moderate to marked improvement in the Clinical Global Impression-Improvement (CGI-I) scale.


RESULTS
Pramipexole (mean dose 0.70 mg/d, mean duration 24.4 weeks) was effective in 6/12 (50.0%) of patients with bipolar depression, and 8/20 (40%) of patients with unipolar depression, mean duration of follow-up of 24.4 weeks. One case of transient hypomania was noted. Eight patients discontinued pramipexole due to lack of response and four due to side effects.


CONCLUSIONS
Pramipexole, used as an adjunct to antidepressants or mood stabilizers, appeared to be effective and safe in the treatment of unipolar and bipolar depression. These uncontrolled, retrospective, naturalistic pilot data require confirmation by controlled research before conclusions can be made.
Sporn
J
J
Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, USA. spornj@intra.NIMH.NIH.GOV
Ghaemi
S N
SN
Sambur
M R
MR
Rankin
M A
MA
Recht
J
J
Sachs
G S
GS
Rosenbaum
J F
JF
Fava
M
M
D000328:Adult; D052160:Benzothiazoles; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D018491:Dopamine Agonists / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D000077487:Pramipexole; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013844:Thiazoles / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D052160:Benzothiazoles; D018491:Dopamine Agonists; D013844:Thiazoles; D000077487:Pramipexole