Ziprasidone augmentation of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) for SSRI-resistant major depressive disorder.
BACKGROUND
Due to their favorable side-effect profile, atypical antipsychotic agents offer important therapeutic advantages in mood disorders. Ziprasidone, an atypical antipsychotic agent with strong 5-HT(1A) agonist activity, may be particularly useful when used in conjunction with standard antidepressants in treatment-resistant depression. The purpose of this study is to test this hypothesis in depressed outpatients who have not experienced significant clinical improvement following an adequate trial of a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI).


METHODS
Twenty patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) who had failed to experience a clinical response to an adequate trial of an SSRI were treated with open-label ziprasidone in addition to their SSRI for 6 weeks between February 2002 and December 2002. MDD was diagnosed with the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis I disorders. Clinical response was defined as a 50% or greater decrease in depressive symptoms during the course of the trial (baseline to endpoint), as measured by the HAM-D-17 total score.


RESULTS
Thirteen of 20 patients (65.0%) completed the trial. Using a completer analysis, 8 patients (61.5%) were classified as responders. An intent-to-treat (ITT) analysis resulted in 10 responders (50.0%). The overall proportion of remitters was 5 of 13 (38.5%) using a completer analysis and 5 of 20 (25.0%) using the ITT analysis. Ziprasidone administration appeared to be safe, with no clinically significant QTc prolongation or severe adverse events observed in any of the study participants.


CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest a possible augmentation role for ziprasidone when used in conjunction with SSRIs in SSRI-resistant MDD.
Depression Clinical and Research Program, Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, 15 Parkman Street, WAC 812, Boston, MA 02114, USA. gpapakostas@partners.org
George I
GI
Papakostas
Timothy J
TJ
Petersen
Andrew A
AA
Nierenberg
Jessica L
JL
Murakami
Jonathan E
JE
Alpert
Jerrold F
JF
Rosenbaum
Maurizio
M
Fava
D000328:Adult; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004351:Drug Resistance; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010552:Personality Assessment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010555:Personality Inventory / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010879:Piperazines / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D011594:Psychometrics; D058825:Serotonin 5-HT1 Receptor Agonists; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D013844:Thiazoles / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D010879:Piperazines; D058825:Serotonin 5-HT1 Receptor Agonists; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors; D013844:Thiazoles; C092292:ziprasidone