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Combined treatment with reboxetine in depressed patients with no response to venlafaxine: a 6-week follow-up study

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  24 June 2014

Cecilio Álamo ,
Francisco López-Muñoz ,
Gabriel Rubio ,
Pilar García-García  and
Antonio Pardo
Cecilio Álamo
Affiliation:
Pharmacology Department, Faculty of Medicine, University of Alcalá, Madrid, Spain
Francisco López-Muñoz*
Affiliation:
Pharmacology Department, Faculty of Medicine, University of Alcalá, Madrid, Spain
Gabriel Rubio
Affiliation:
Retiro Mental Health Services, Department of Psychiatry, Complutense University, Madrid, Spain
Pilar García-García
Affiliation:
Pharmacology Department, Faculty of Medicine, University of Alcalá, Madrid, Spain
Antonio Pardo
Affiliation:
Department of Social Psychology and Methodology, Faculty of Psychology, Autonome University, Madrid, Spain
*
Francisco López-Muñoz, MD, PhD, Pharmacology Department, University of Alcalá, C/Juan Ignacio Luca de Tena 8, 28027 Madrid, Spain. Tel: +34 91 7248210; Fax: +34 91 7248205; E-mail: frlopez@juste.net
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Abstract

Objective:

The purpose of present study was to evaluate the efficacy of the addition of reboxetine in patients that had not previously responded, or had done so only partially, over 6 weeks of conventional pharmacological treatment with venlafaxine.

Methods:

This open-label, prospective and multicentric study included 40 outpatients diagnosed with major depressive disorder according to the DSM-IV criteria. Efficacy was assessed using the 21-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD) and the Clinical Global Impression-Improvement (CGI-I). Safety was evaluated by recording spontaneously reported adverse events. Data were analysed on an intent-to-treat basis, using the last-observation-carried-forward method.

Results:

Mean HAMD reduction was 34.9% (P < 0.0001). The percentages of responders (≥50% reduction in HAMD) and patients considered as benefiting from complete remission (HAMD ≤ 10 points) at week 6 were 27.5 and 12.5%, respectively. By the end of the treatment, the score of CGI-I decreased 24.8% (P < 0.0001). Percentage of patient improving (CGI < 4 points) was 47.5%. The most common non-serious adverse events were constipation, nervousness, anxiety and insomnia.

Conclusion:

These findings suggest that the combined treatment of reboxetine and venlafaxine, in venlafaxine-resistant patients, may be an effective and well-tolerated strategy.

Keywords

combination treatmentmajor depressive disorderreboxetineresistant depressionvenlafaxine
Type
Research Article
Information
Acta Neuropsychiatrica , Volume 19 , Issue 5 , October 2007 , pp. 291 - 296
Copyright
Copyright © 2007 Blackwell Munksgaard

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