title: Combined treatment with reboxetine in depressed patients with no response to venlafaxine: a 6-week follow-up study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of present study was to evaluate the efficacy of the addition of reboxetine in patients that had not previously responded, or had done so only partially, over 6 weeks of conventional pharmacological treatment with venlafaxine.
  
  
  METHODS
  This open-label, prospective and multicentric study included 40 outpatients diagnosed with major depressive disorder according to the DSM-IV criteria. Efficacy was assessed using the 21-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD) and the Clinical Global Impression-Improvement (CGI-I). Safety was evaluated by recording spontaneously reported adverse events. Data were analysed on an intent-to-treat basis, using the last-observation-carried-forward method.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean HAMD reduction was 34.9% (P < 0.0001). The percentages of responders (≥50% reduction in HAMD) and patients considered as benefiting from complete remission (HAMD ≤ 10 points) at week 6 were 27.5 and 12.5%, respectively. By the end of the treatment, the score of CGI-I decreased 24.8% (P < 0.0001). Percentage of patient improving (CGI < 4 points) was 47.5%. The most common non-serious adverse events were constipation, nervousness, anxiety and insomnia.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These findings suggest that the combined treatment of reboxetine and venlafaxine, in venlafaxine-resistant patients, may be an effective and well-tolerated strategy.
authors.affiliation: 1Pharmacology Department, Faculty of Medicine, University of Alcalá, Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: Cecilio
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Álamo
authors.affiliation: 1Pharmacology Department, Faculty of Medicine, University of Alcalá, Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: Francisco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: López-Muñoz
authors.affiliation: 2Retiro Mental Health Services, Department of Psychiatry, Complutense University, Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: Gabriel
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Rubio
authors.affiliation: 1Pharmacology Department, Faculty of Medicine, University of Alcalá, Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: Pilar
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: García-García
authors.affiliation: 3Department of Social Psychology and Methodology, Faculty of Psychology, Autonome University, Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pardo