Adjunctive imipramine in the treatment of postpsychotic depression. A controlled trial.

Abstract

The efficacy of adjunctive imipramine hydrochloride treatment for syndromally defined postpsychotic depression was assessed in a six-week, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. All patients had been diagnosed as having schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder, all were receiving stable doses of fluphenazine decanoate, and all had received benztropine mesylate in an attempt to rule out neuroleptic-induced akinesia. Patients randomized to imipramine therapy fared significantly better in terms of their global improvement and in terms of individual symptoms that are components of the depression syndrome. There were no significant differences in outcome psychosis ratings or side effects. This study indicates the existence of an identifiable syndrome of secondary depression in this patient group that is likely to respond favorably to treatment with adjunctive imipramine.

• Authors: S G Siris, V Morgan, R Fagerstrom, A Rifkin, T B Cooper
• Journal: Archives of general psychiatry (Arch Gen Psychiatry) Vol. 44 Issue 6 Pg. 533-9 (Jun 1987) ISSN: 0003-990X [Print] United States
• PMID: 3555386 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.)

Chemical References

• fluphenazine depot
• Imipramine
• Fluphenazine

Topics

• Adult
• Clinical Trials as Topic
• Depressive Disorder (drug therapy, etiology, psychology)
• Double-Blind Method
• Drug Therapy, Combination
• Female
• Fluphenazine (analogs & derivatives, therapeutic use)
• Follow-Up Studies
• Humans
• Imipramine (therapeutic use)
• Male
• Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care
• Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
• Psychotic Disorders (complications, drug therapy, psychology)
• Schizophrenia (complications, drug therapy)
• Schizophrenic Psychology