[Modafinil in the treatment of depression].
A systematic review of the literature on modafinil as adjunctive treatment to antidepressants in patients with major depression and residual symptoms of fatigue and drowsiness is presented. Several open-labelled studies have shown good results on treatment with modafinil. However, only a few randomised controlled clinical trials exist. These have methodological weaknesses and their results are contradictory. If modafinil is used in highly selected patients with severe fatigue its potential interactions with antidepressants must be borne in mind. Furthermore, discontinuation of the drug should be tried after a couple of months, as one study suggests that the effect wears off. In addition, the drug is rather expensive.
Center for Psykiatrisk Forskning, Aarhus Universitetshospital, Risskov, Skovagervej 2, 8240 Risskov, Denmark. videbech@dadlnet.dk
Poul
P
Videbech
D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001559:Benzhydryl Compounds / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy; D004347:Drug Interactions; D006801:Humans; D000077408:Modafinil; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D001559:Benzhydryl Compounds; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants; D000077408:Modafinil