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Pharmacopsychiatry 2007; 40(1): 14-19
DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-958523
Original Paper

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Reboxetine Combination in Treatment-resistant Depression to Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors

F. López-Muñoz 1 , C. Álamo 1 , G. Rubio 2 , P. García-García 1 , A. Pardo 3
  • 1Pharmacology Department, Faculty of Medicine, University of Alcalá, Madrid, Spain
  • 2Retiro Mental Health Services, Department of Psychiatry, Complutense University, Madrid, Spain
  • 3Department of Social Psychology and Methodology, Faculty of Psychology, Autónoma University, Madrid, Spain
Weitere Informationen

Publikationsverlauf

received 15. 5. 2006 revised 29. 9. 2006

accepted 10. 10. 2006

Publikationsdatum:
27. Februar 2007 (online)

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Abstract

Introduction: Treatment-resistant depression is a relatively common clinical occurrence: between 60-70% of depressive patients fail to achieve total remission to the initial treatment with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI).

Methods: In this prospective 12-week open-label study, we evaluated the effectiveness of the addition of reboxetine to 141 outpatients diagnosed with major depressive disorder, according to DSM-IV-TR criteria, who were partial responders or non-responders over a period of 6 weeks, to previous treatment in monotherapy with SSRI. Evaluation of antidepressant efficacy was carried out through the application of the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS) and the Clinical Global Impressions-Global Improvement Scale (CGI-I). Data were analyzed on an intent-to-treat basis, using the last-observation-carried-forward method.

Results: Mean score on the HDRS at baseline was 26.24±7.21, falling to 13.96±8.00 in week 12 (mean decrease of 46.79%; p<0.0001) The percentages of responders (HDRS total score ≥50%) and patients considered as benefiting from complete remission (HDRS score ≤10) at 12 weeks were 50.4% and 34.5%, respectively. By the end of the treatment, a mean decrease in CGI-I score of 1.88 points was obtained (41.14% of reduction; p<0.0001), and 77% of the patients were evaluated as improved (CGI-I score <4). Nervousness was the adverse effect most frequently reported (5.21%), followed by dryness of mouth (4.38%), and insomnia (3.56%).

Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that the combination strategy with reboxetine appears to be a potentially useful tool in cases of SSRI-resistant depression.

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Correspondence

F. López-Muñoz

Pharmacology Department · University of Alcalá

C/Juan Ignacio Luca de Tena 8

28027 Madrid

Spain

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eMail: frlopez@juste.net