Methylphenidate for alpha-interferon induced depression.
Interferon-Alpha (IFN) has been effective in the treatment of chronic viral infections and cancer albeit the added risk of severe depression. The literature has reported effectiveness in the use of antidepressants for interferon-induced depression. We report a case of severe protracted depression induced by IFN in a patient diagnosed with melanoma who responded rapidly to a course of methylphenidate using the Hamilton Depressive Rating Scale. Methylphenidate appeared to be effective in the treatment of neurovegetative symptoms of major depression induced by IFN. This report provides further clinical evidence that the neurovegetative symptoms of depression might respond better to a norepinephrine uptake inhibitor or psycho-stimulants.
Sun Valley Behavioral Medical Center & Imperial County Behavioral Health Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, CA, USA. aamacho@ucsd.edu
Alvaro
A
Camacho
Bernardo
B
Ng
D000339:Affect / Q000187:drug effects; D000368:Aged; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008140:Lorazepam / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000188:drug therapy; D008774:Methylphenidate / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011725:Pyridines / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D014196:Trazodone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000077334:Zolpidem
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D011725:Pyridines; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D008774:Methylphenidate; D000077334:Zolpidem; D008140:Lorazepam; D014196:Trazodone