title: Tianeptine combination for partial or non-response to selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitor monotherapy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The goal of this study was to assess the efficacy and tolerability of tianeptine in combination with selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitor (SSRI) in partial responders or non-responders to SSRI monotherapy.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this prospective, open-label, 6-week study, 150 patients with major depressive disorder who had previously not responded or partially responded to SSRI monotherapy were recruited. Tianeptine was given in combination with an SSRI for 6 weeks.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Significant improvements were observed in the mean scores of the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS), Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS), and Clinical Global Impression-Severity (CGI-S). The change in the mean HDRS, MADRS, and CGI-S scores was significant from week 1. The response rates were 64.7% (HDRS) and 68.7% (MADRS), and the remission rates were 34.0% (HDRS) and 42.0% (MADRS) at week 6. Thirty-six patients (24.0%) reported adverse events that were determined by the investigator to be related to one of the study drugs. The tianeptine and SSRI combination was generally well-tolerated.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A combination strategy with tianeptine may be an effective and well-tolerated tool for patients who have failed to adequately respond to SSRI monotherapy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Yeouido St Mary's Hospital, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Young Sup
authors.initials: YS
authors.lastname: Woo
authors.forename: Won-Myong
authors.initials: WM
authors.lastname: Bahk
authors.forename: Jong-Hyun
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Jeong
authors.forename: Seung-Hwan
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Hyeung-Mo
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Sung
authors.forename: Chi-Un
authors.initials: CU
authors.lastname: Pae
authors.forename: Bon-Hoon
authors.initials: BH
authors.lastname: Koo
authors.forename: Won
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Kim
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy*; D061218:Depressive Disorder, Treatment-Resistant / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013841:Thiazepines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors; D013841:Thiazepines; C050504:tianeptine