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Pindolol augmentation of antidepressant therapy

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  03 January 2018

Robyn McAskill ,
Shameem Mir  and
David Taylor
Robyn McAskill
Affiliation:
Maudsley Hospital, London SE5 8AZ
Shameem Mir
Affiliation:
Maudsley Hospital, London SE5 8AZ
David Taylor
Affiliation:
Maudsley Hospital, London SE5 8AZ
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Abstract

Background

Antidepressant therapy is not always effective and is slow to take effect. In theory, these shortfalls may be caused by induction of neuronal negative feedback via pre-synaptic 5-HTIA receptors. Pindolol, an antagonist at somatodentritic pre-synaptic 5-HTIA receptors has been investigated as a potential accelerator and augmenter of antidepressant response.

Method

A Medline search was conducted in November 1997.

Results

Six open-label studies and six controlled studies were identified for review Conclusions Open-label studies strongly suggest that pindolol may accelerate and augment antidepressant response, but controlled studies do not wholly support these findings: only three of six studies clearly demonstrate benefit. Larger, well-designed, controlled trials are needed to determine definitively the effectiveness of pindolol in this context.

Type
Review Articles
Information
The British Journal of Psychiatry , Volume 173 , Issue 3 , September 1998 , pp. 203 - 208
Copyright
Copyright © 1998 The Royal College of Psychiatrists 

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