Intravenous mirtazapine in the treatment of depressed inpatients.
Mirtazapine is a novel antidepressant with a noradrenergic and specific serotonergic mode of action. So far, mirtazapine has been administered orally. This naturalistic study evaluates the antidepressant efficacy, safety, and tolerability of mirtazapine 15 mg/day administered intravenously to 27 inpatients with moderate to severe major depression. Compared with baseline, we found a significant decrease of the Hamilton Depressive Rating Scale (HDRS) total score (P<0.001). Side effects were mild and transient. Altogether, the results of this preliminary study show that intravenous mirtazapine is an effective, safe and well tolerated treatment for depressed inpatients.
Konstantinidis
A
A
Department of General Psychiatry, University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, 1090, Vienna, Austria.
Stastny
J
J
Ptak-Butta
J
J
Hilger
E
E
Winkler
D
D
Barnas
C
C
Neumeister
A
A
Kasper
S
S
D000317:Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001519:Behavior / Q000187:drug effects; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D008297:Male; D008803:Mianserin / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D008875:Middle Aged; D000078785:Mirtazapine
D000317:Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists; D008803:Mianserin; D000078785:Mirtazapine