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A Double-Blind Trial of Phenelzine and Amitriptyline in Depressed Out-Patients. a Possible Differential Effect of the Drugs on Symptoms

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 January 2018

D. W. K. Kay ,
R. F. Garside  and
T. J. Fahy
D. W. K. Kay
Affiliation:
Department of Psychological Medicine, Royal Victoria Infirmary and University of Newcastle upon Tyne, Queen Victoria Road, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 4LP
R. F. Garside
Affiliation:
St. Loman's Hospital, Palmerstown, Co. Dublin, Republic of Ireland (formerly Senior Research Associate, Department of Psychological Medicine, University of Newcastle upon Tyne)
T. J. Fahy
Affiliation:
St. Loman's Hospital, Palmerstown, Co. Dublin, Republic of Ireland (formerly Senior Research Associate, Department of Psychological Medicine, University of Newcastle upon Tyne)
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Extract

It is widely agreed that the MAO inhibitor group of drugs are less effective anti-depressants than the tricyclics in severe depressions, specially those of endogenous type (Medical Research Council, 1965), but a role for them is still claimed, for example, in the treatment of milder depressions or of depressive symptoms. According to Pöldinger (1967) they are ‘thermagasics', i.e. psychic energizers or disinhibitors, and their mood elevating effect is relatively slight. Dally (1965) maintained that MAO inhibitors were most useful in atypical depressions, with tension and anxiety, but were ineffective in patients with inadequate personalities. Kelly et al. (1970) found that these drugs relieved depressive symptoms in phobic anxiety states. In this paper we have attempted to reexamine this question in a double-blind trial of phenelzine and amitriptyline in depressed out-patients.

Type
Papers
Information
The British Journal of Psychiatry , Volume 123 , Issue 572 , July 1973 , pp. 63 - 67
Copyright
Copyright © Royal College of Psychiatrists, 1973 

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