Fluvoxamine Group Research Articles

Randomized Double-Blind Study of Fluvoxamine and Maprotiline in Treatment of Depression

In a six-week double-blind randomized trial, preceded by a one-week period of single-blind placebo treatment, the efficacy and the side-effects of fluvoxamine (100-300 mg/d) (n = 24) and maprotiline (50-150 mg/d) (n = 24) were compared in moderately depressed outpatients with DSM-III Major Depression (n = 22) or Dysthymic Disorder (n = 26). Efficacy was measured by means of the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, the Zung Depression Selfrating Scale, and a Clinical Global Impression of Severity Scale. Side-effects were evaluated by an Adverse Event Inventory and a Psychosomatic Symptom Scale. A statistically significant improvement was achieved in both treatment groups but success rates were modest: in both groups, 29% of the patients achieved a clinically significant improvement after six weeks of treatment. After six weeks of treatment, no difference in efficacy was found between fluvoxamine and maprotiline. Nausea was the most common complaint in the fluvoxamine group, while in the maprotiline group, it was dry mouth and constipation. One maprotiline-treated patient developed a convulsive attack.

Response to Total Sleep Deprivation Before and During Treatment with Fluvoxamine or Maprotiline in Patients with Major Depression - Results of a Double-Blind Study

To test the hypothesis that the antidepressant effects of total sleep deprivation (TSD) are linked to the serotonergic and/or noradrenergic system the authors carried out a double-blind study (fluvoxamine versus maprotiline) in 42 inpatients with endogenous depression (ICD). Patients were randomized to a four-week treatment with either fluvoxamine (100-300 mg/day) or maprotiline (100-300 mg/day). In addition, patients underwent a TSD procedure before and after one week of antidepressant medication. There was a statistically significant reduction of depression ratings (HDRS) in both the fluvoxamine and maprotiline group. The day-1 response to TSD before antidepressive medication was not associated with a clear relationship to the outcome after four weeks of treatment with either fluvoxamine or maprotiline. On the other hand, the day-2 response to TSD was significantly correlated with a good outcome to subchronic treatment with maprotiline. Furthermore, the results of the authors' data suggest that a favorable short-term outcome of TSD may be connected to antidepressants enhancing the serotonergic neurotransmission. The global comparison between fluvoxamine and maprotiline revealed that the group of patients treated with fluvoxamine had a significantly higher efficiency index (CGI) than the maprotiline group; fluvoxamine was rated to be tolerated excellently in 70% of the patients whereas this percentage was only 43% in the maprotiline group. There was also significantly more vertigo and dry mouth in the maprotiline group whereas the fluvoxamine group was rated to have significantly more sleep disturbances during the trial.

Fluvoxamine in the Treatment of the Older Depressed Patient; Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Data

Fluvoxamine was given in placebo-controlled trials to 33 severely depressed patients of between 60 and 71 years, 29 received imipramine and 14 placebo. At week 4 of treatment fluvoxamine and imipramine were superior to placebo on the HAMD and CGI scales (P less than 0.05). There was indication of an earlier onset of antidepressant activity in the fluvoxamine group. There was no evidence of systematic changes in laboratory variables in any treatment group. Fluvoxamine and placebo had similar effects on heart rate and blood pressure. Imipramine was associated with significant postural falls in mean systolic pressure. The most frequent unwanted symptom with fluvoxamine was mild nausea, with imipramine, dry mouth. Toxic confusion was the major reason for dropout in the imipramine (n = 4) and nausea (n = 3) in the fluvoxamine-treated group.

A double‐blind clinical trial of fluvoxamine and imipramine in patients with primary depression

AbstractFluvoxamine, a new serotonin‐reuptake inhibitor, and imipramine were compared under double‐blind conditions in 36 unipolar and bipolar depressed inpatients. Both drugs produced significant reductions in depressive symptomatology over a 4–6‐wk course of treatment, with the greater part of the improvement occurring in the first 2 wk. No statistically significant differences were obtained between the two drugs. Adverse reactions, particularly anticholinergic ones, were much less frequently observed in the fluvoxamine group. No clinically significant laboratory abnormalities were reported for either treatment; but minor ECG irregularities were seen under both treatments. The findings generally correspond to results obtained in previous comparative clinical trials.

Fluvoxamine maleate, a serotonergic antidepressant; A comparison with chlorimipramine

1. Fluvoxamine is a potent serotonin re-uptake inhibitor, with little or no noradrenergic or anticholinergic activity. 2. The results of three studies using an almost identical protocol with a prospectively randomized, double-blind design comparing fluvoxamine and chlorimipramine are presented. 3. In a population of 98 subjects suffering from a variety of depressive conditions, there was a marked improvement over four weeks in both groups. dosage was maintained between 150 and 300 mg per day. 4. There were no changes of clinical importance in vital signs, hematology or biochemistry, but pulse rates increased in the chlorimipramine group. 5. There were fewer concurrent signs and symptoms in the fluvoxamine group, especially those attributable to anticholinergic activity.