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Nefazodone and Imipramine in Major Depression: A Placebo-Controlled Trial

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2018

Karl Rickels ,
Edward Schweizer ,
Cathryn Clary ,
Ira Fox  and
Charles Weise
Karl Rickels*
Affiliation:
Private Practice Research Group, Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, USA
Edward Schweizer
Affiliation:
Private Practice Research Group, Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, USA
Cathryn Clary
Affiliation:
Private Practice Research Group, Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, USA
Ira Fox
Affiliation:
Private Practice Research Group, Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, USA
Charles Weise
Affiliation:
Private Practice Research Group, Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, USA
*
∗University Science Center, 3600 Market Street, Suite 803, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
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Abstract

Nefazodone is a phenylpiperazine antidepressant with 5-HT2 antagonism and 5-HT reuptake inhibition. Two hundred and eighty-three out-patients with a diagnosis of DSM–III–R major depression of at least one-month duration (65% ill for over 6 months), and a mean score of 24 on the 17-item Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HRSD), were randomised to treatment with nefazodone, imipramine, or placebo. The double-blind treatment period was 8 weeks in duration. Nefazodone's antidepressant efficacy was comparable with imipramine's, with both drug treatments significantly better than placebo in a variety of outcome measures. For example, after 8 weeks of therapy, 78% of nefazodone and 83% of imipramine but only 55% of placebo patients (P < 0.01) were globally much or very much improved. Nefazodone was better tolerated than imipramine, with fewer drop-outs and a lower incidence of side-effects during treatment.

Type
Papers
Information
The British Journal of Psychiatry , Volume 164 , Issue 6 , June 1994 , pp. 802 - 805
Copyright
Copyright © 1994 The Royal College of Psychiatrists 

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