How does moclobemide measure up?

• Moclobemide and fluoxetine are equally efficacious in the treatment of patients with depression, according to a New Zealand study. Following the 6-week study, a complete response or marked improvement was seen in 70% of moclobemide-treated patients (300-600 mg/day; n = 49) and in 64% of tluoxetine-treated patients (20-40 mg/day; 43).86 and 109 adverse effects were reported by moclobemide and tluoxetine recipients, respectively. Williams R. et a!. A double·blind comparison of moclobemide and fluoxetine in the treatmenl of depressive disorders. International

Clinical Psychopharnlacology 7: 155-158. Jan 1993 ><00"00"

• Moclobemide and imipramine are of comparable efficacy, according to a multicentre study conducted in Finland. After 28 days' lrealment, the decrease in Hamilton Depression Rating Scale scores was 58% for moclobemide-treated (mean dosage 307 mg/day) patients (n = 55) and 55% for imipramine-treated (mean dosage 100 mg/day) patients (58). Although moclobemide had a faster onset of action during the first week, both drugs achieved their maximal effect by the third week. Significantly more imipramine than moclobemide recipients reported adverse effects, 73 vs 54%, respectively. Rimon R. et a!. Moclobemide versus imipramine in depressed oUl-patients: a double-blind multi-centre study. International Clinical

Psychophannacology 7: 141-147, Jan 1993 ""'176"6

• Dothiepin was slightly more effective than moclobemide for treating depressed patients participating in a multicentre UK study, 80% of dothiepin-treated (75-150 mg/day) patients (n = 24) achieved at least 50% of their initial Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression, compared with 70% of meclobemide-treated (450 mg/day) patients (16). During the 6-week study, more dothiepin recipients than moclobemide recipients withdrew as a result of adverse effects. Beaumont G, et a!. A randomized. double-blind, multi-centre,

parallel-group study comparing the tolembility and efficacy of

moclobemide and dothiepin hydrochloride in depressed patients in general practice. International Clinical Psychopharmacology 7:

159-165, Jan 1993 1lOO17"'''

ISSN 0156-2703l9310220-0019/$1.orf' Adis International Ltd

THERAPY 19

INPHARMA" 20 Feb 1993