Comparison of two-phase treatment with imipramine or fluvoxamine, both followed by lithium addition, in inpatients with major depressive disorder.
OBJECTIVE
This study was designed to compare the efficacy of two two-phase pharmacological treatment strategies for inpatients with DSM-IV major depressive disorder.


METHODS
During phase I, patients participated in a double-blind study of the effects of imipramine versus fluvoxamine, with final evaluation of response 4 weeks after patients attained the target plasma level. In phase II, for patients without treatment response or with partial response in phase I, lithium was added to imipramine or fluvoxamine. Final evaluation of response was made 3 weeks after the patients attained the target plasma level of lithium (0.6-1.0 mmol/liter).


RESULTS
One hundred thirty-eight patients were enrolled in the study. At the end of phase I, remission, defined as a final Hamilton Depression Rating Scale score < or =7, was achieved by 16 (23%) of 70 imipramine-treated patients and 10 (15%) of 68 fluvoxamine-treated patients. At the end of phase II, 41 (59%) of 70 imipramine-treated patients versus 27 (40%) of 68 fluvoxamine-treated patients qualified for remission, a significant difference in favor of the imipramine strategy. Only a small minority of both groups received concomitant medication. In both phase I and phase II, the discontinuation rate was low (5% and 10%, respectively).


CONCLUSIONS
Imipramine with subsequent lithium addition is superior to a similar strategy with fluvoxamine for treatment of severely depressed inpatients. Both strategies were well tolerated.
Birkenhäger
Tom K
TK
Department of Psychiatry, Erasmus Medical Centre, P.O. Box 2040, 3000 CA Rotterdam, the Netherlands. t.birkenhager@erasmusmc.nl
van den Broek
Walter W
WW
Mulder
Paul G
PG
Bruijn
Jan A
JA
Moleman
Peter
P
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D016666:Fluvoxamine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D007099:Imipramine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008094:Lithium / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic; D016666:Fluvoxamine; D007099:Imipramine; D008094:Lithium; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors