Aripiprazole augmentation for treatment of patients with inadequate antidepressants response.
This study evaluated whether or not augmentation with aripiprzazole is beneficial and tolerable to patients with an inadequate response to antidepressants (ADs). Thirteen patients with nonpsychotic major depression, who had failed to respond to an adequate trial of at least one AD, were prescribed aripiprazole (dose, 5-30 mg) for 8 weeks. The dose of their preexisting ADs was not changed. The treatment response was defined as the mean changes in the scores of the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D) from the baseline to the end of treatment. Eleven (84.6%) patients returned for at least one follow-up visit, and 7 (53.8%) patients completed the study. The HAM-D and Clinical Global Impression-Severity (CGI-S) scores decreased significantly from the baseline to the end of treatment by 53.8% and 56.0%, respectively (Z = -2.937, P =.003; Z = -2.961, P =.003). Seven (63.6%) patients showed a > or = 50% reduction in the HAM-D score at the end of treatment. Three (27.3%) patients met the remission criteria at the end of treatment. There were no serious side effects. Despite the high dropout rate in this open study, aripiprazole appears to be reasonably effective and tolerated as an augmentation strategy in conjunction with conventional ADs treatment in patients with an inadequate AD response. These results highlight the potential benefits of aripiprazole for these patients. However, adequately powered, randomized, controlled trials are needed to confirm these results.
Pae
Chi-Un
CU
Department of Psychiatry, The Catholic University of Korea, College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea. pae@catholic.ac.kr
Patkar
Ashwin A
AA
Jun
Tae-Youn
TY
Lee
Chul
C
Masand
Prakash S
PS
Paik
In-Ho
IH
D000328:Adult; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D000068180:Aripiprazole; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D004351:Drug Resistance; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010555:Personality Inventory; D010865:Pilot Projects; D010879:Piperazines / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D015363:Quinolones / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D000068180:Aripiprazole; D010879:Piperazines; D015363:Quinolones; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors