Text version
Let’s take a look at a study comparing imipramine vs the venlafaxine-mirtazapine combination for the treatment of major depression. This study by Navarro and colleagues has striking results. The outcome is that among patients who had not improved after 10 weeks of full dose venlafaxine , those who were switched to imipramine had a 71% remission rate. That is quite impressive. By comparison, those who had mirtazapine added to venlafaxine had a 39% remission rate. So, how did they get these results?
This study took 14 years of recruiting among in- and outpatients. The authors studied the patients that they were treating with informed consent regarding this randomization to either a tricyclic, imipramine, or the venlafaxine-mirtazapine combination when they had not improved on venlafaxine after 10 weeks. Unfortunately, right there lies a strong potential explanation for the remarkably high remission rates on imipramine. The involved clinicians scored the Hamilton Depression
Unlock this Quick Take and earn 0.50 CMEs
Become a Silver, Gold, Silver extended or Gold extended Member.
Already have an account? Sign in
