title: Selegiline transdermal system in the prevention of relapse of major depressive disorder: a 52-week, double-blind, placebo-substitution, parallel-group clinical trial.
abstract: The selegiline transdermal system (STS) is a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) with unique pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties that was developed to overcome limitations of orally administered MAOIs, particularly dietary tyramine restrictions. We present data from a long-term study assessing the safety and efficacy of initial and continuation STS therapy in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD). After 10 weeks of treatment with STS 6 mg/24 h, 322 patients who responded with a 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale score of 10 or less were randomly assigned to double-blind treatment with STS 6 mg/24 h or placebo for 52 weeks. Relapse was defined as meeting the following criteria on 2 consecutive visits: (1) 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale score of 14 or more, (2) a Clinical Global Impression of Severity score of 3 or more with a 2-point increase from double-blind baseline, and (3) the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition criteria for a major depressive episode. At study week 52, significantly fewer STS patients experienced relapse of major depressive episode (25/149 [16.8%]) compared with placebo (50/163 [30.7%]) (P = 0.0025). In addition, patients receiving STS experienced a significantly longer time to relapse compared with those receiving placebo (P = 0.0048). The safety profile of STS was similar to placebo, with the exception of application-site reactions (STS, 15.2%; placebo, 3.7%). No cases of hypertensive crisis were reported, despite the lack of requirement for dietary tyramine restrictions. In conclusion, STS was well tolerated and efficacious in maintaining a sustained response in MDD patients. The results of this study suggest that STS may be suitable in the long-term treatment of MDD.
authors.affiliation: Depression Research Unit, Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania, School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA. jamsterd@mail.med.upenn.edu
authors.forename: Jay D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Amsterdam
authors.forename: J Alexander
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Bodkin
mesh_terms: D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000328:Adult; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology; D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D053208:Kaplan-Meier Estimate; D008297:Male; D008996:Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010349:Patient Compliance; D010352:Patient Dropouts; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D055502:Secondary Prevention; D012642:Selegiline / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D008996:Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors; D012642:Selegiline