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Is trazodone more effective than clomipramine in major depressed outpatients? A single-blind study with intravenous and oral administration

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  30 October 2017

Massimiliano Buoli ,
Chiara Rovera ,
Sara Maria Pozzoli ,
Alessio Fiorentini ,
Laura Cremaschi ,
Alice Caldiroli Open the ORCID record for Alice Caldiroli [Opens in a new window]  and
A. Carlo Altamura
Massimiliano Buoli
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, University of Milan, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
Chiara Rovera
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, University of Milan, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
Sara Maria Pozzoli
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, University of Milan, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
Alessio Fiorentini
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, University of Milan, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
Laura Cremaschi
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, University of Milan, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
Alice Caldiroli*
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, University of Milan, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
A. Carlo Altamura
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, University of Milan, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
*
*Address for correspondence: Alice Caldiroli, Department of Psychiatry, University of Milan, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Via F. Sforza 35, 20122, Milan, Italy. (Email: alyscaldi@gmail.com)
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Abstract

Objective

Some antidepressants, such as trazodone or clomipramine, can be administered intravenously in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD), with potential benefits compared to the standard oral treatment, but available data about their efficacy are limited. The present study was aimed to compare the effectiveness of trazodone and clomipramine (intravenous [i.v.] followed by oral administration).

Methods

Some 42 patients with a diagnosis of MDD according to the DSM–5 were selected and treated with i.v. trazodone or clomipramine according to clinical judgment. The Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale, and the Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale were administered at baseline, after 2 weeks, and after 6 weeks, as well as after 1 week of intravenous antidepressant administration. Raters were blinded to type of treatment.

Results

No significant differences were found between treatment groups in terms of effectiveness at endpoint. Borderline statistical significance was found in terms of number of responders in favor of trazodone. In addition, patients treated with trazodone reported fewer total side effects than those treated with clomipramine.

Conclusion

Both i.v. trazodone and clomipramine are rapid and effective options for improving depressive symptoms, although trazodone appears to be tolerated better. Further studies with larger samples and double-blind conditions are warranted to confirm our results.

Keywords

Antidepressantdepressionanxiety/anxiety disordersclinical trialsmood disorderspharmacotherapy
Type
Original Research
Information
CNS Spectrums , Volume 24 , Issue 2 , April 2019 , pp. 258 - 264
Copyright
© Cambridge University Press 2017 

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