Modafinil as adjunctive therapy in depressed outpatients.
The wake-promoting agent modafinil (PROVIGIL) may prove useful as an adjunctive treatment in patients with suboptimal responses to antidepressant regimens. This retrospective chart review describes the use of modafinil as an adjunct to antidepressant therapy in 78 outpatients in a general psychiatric practice and discusses in detail treatment outcomes for 3 patients. Statistically significant improvements in mean Carroll Depression Rating Scale scores (p < 0.01), Visual Analog Scale scores for overall feeling (p < 0.003), and Clinical Global Impression of Severity ratings (p < 0.001) were demonstrated following treatment with modafinil. Treatment with modafinil rapidly improved wakefulness, fatigue, and everyday functioning in individual cases. Modafinil was well tolerated in combination with antidepressants and other medications. These findings suggest that adjunctive modafinil may improve treatment outcomes when used with antidepressant therapy in depressed patients, particularly in those with problematic sleepiness or fatigue.
Nasr
Suhayl
S
Nasr Psychiatric Services, PC, Michigan City, Indiana 46360, USA. sjnasr@msn.com
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001559:Benzhydryl Compounds / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology; D006970:Disorders of Excessive Somnolence / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005221:Fatigue / Q000517:prevention & control; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D000077408:Modafinil; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014851:Wakefulness / Q000187:drug effects
D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D001559:Benzhydryl Compounds; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants; D000077408:Modafinil