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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
Further Information

Publication History

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

accepted 10. 10. 2006

Publication Date:
27 February 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

Phone: +34/91/724 82 10

Fax: +34/91/724 82 05

Email: frlopez@juste.net

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