Lithium and triiodothyronine augmentation of antidepressants.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the relative benefits of the combination of lithium and triiodothyronine (T3) in augmentation of antidepressants, compared with either lithium or T3 alone.


METHODS
We performed a 2-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot study of the addition of lithium compared with T3 compared with the combination of both in subjects with major depressive disorder who had not responded to an antidepressant.


RESULTS
All groups improved significantly over the 2 weeks of treatment, but there were no significant between-group differences.


CONCLUSIONS
There may be no advantage to a combination of these augmenting agents, although we failed to show separation between active treatments and placebo.
Joffe
Russell T
RT
Department of Psychiatry, New Jersey Medical School, Newark, New Jersey, USA. joffe@umdnj.edu
Sokolov
Stephen T H
ST
Levitt
Anthony J
AJ
D000328:Adult; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000378:metabolism / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004351:Drug Resistance; D004357:Drug Synergism; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016651:Lithium Carbonate / Q000378:metabolism / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D014284:Triiodothyronine / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D014284:Triiodothyronine; D016651:Lithium Carbonate