[Experience with ixel (milnacipran hydrochloride) use in the treatment of patients with post-stroke depression].
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate antidepressive efficacy of ixel in patients with poststroke depression (PSD).


METHODS
The study included 59 PSD patients aged 43-79 years divided into two groups: the test group (31 patients) treated with antidepressive drugs and the control group (28 patients) was not treated with such drugs. The test group took a two-month treatment with oral ixel in a dose 100 mg/day. The neurological status was assessed by Lindmark scale (LS), severity of depression-by Hamilton scale (HS).


RESULTS
On ixel treatment day 10-14 the patients felt better, by the treatment day 60 depression disappeared in 60.9%, only borderline conditions were seen in 39.1%. Mean score by HS fell from 15.8 to 5.7. The controls showed moderate reduction of some symptoms of depression, mean score by HS decreased insignificantly (from 14.5 to 13.4). By LS, significant differences between the groups were not registered. Side effects arose in 10 patients, 6 of them withdrew.


CONCLUSIONS
Ixel is an effective drug against depression in stroke survivors.
Gekht
A B
AB
Sorokina
I B
IB
Bogolepova
A N
AN
Gudkova
A A
AA
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003521:Cyclopropanes / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003863:Depression / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D000078764:Milnacipran; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D020521:Stroke / Q000150:complications* / Q000523:psychology; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D003521:Cyclopropanes; D000078764:Milnacipran