A randomised double blind group comparative study of sulpiride and amitriptyline in affective disorder

• Published in: Psychopharmacologia Vol. 81; no. 3; pp. 258 - 260
• Main Authors: STANDISH-BARRY, H. M. A. S, BOURAS, N, BRIDGES, P. K, WATSON, J. P
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin Springer 01-01-1983
• Subjects: Adult; Amitriptyline - adverse effects; Amitriptyline - therapeutic use; Biological and medical sciences; Clinical Trials as Topic; Double-Blind Method; Female; Humans; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Mood Disorders - drug therapy; Neuropharmacology; Pharmacology. Drug treatments; Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; Psychoanaleptics: cns stimulant, antidepressant agent, nootropic agent, mood stabilizer..., (alzheimer disease); Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry; Psychopharmacology; Random Allocation; Sulpiride - adverse effects; Sulpiride - therapeutic use; Time Factors; Human; Affective disorder; Chemotherapy; Randomization; Treatment; Double blind study; Schizophrenia; Antidepressant agent; Depression; Tricyclic compound; Comparative study
• ISSN: 0033-3158; 1432-2072
• DOI: 10.1007/BF00427274

A randomized double blind group comparison study of sulpiride and amitriptyline was carried out in 36 patients suffering from major depressive disorder (DSM III criteria). Sulpiride showed equivalent antidepressant activity to amitriptyline at 4, 6 and 12 weeks, using the Hamilton Rating Scale (HRS) and the Wakefield Self-Rating Scale for depression (WRS). However, at 24 weeks the antidepressant activity of amitriptyline was just statistically significantly better than that of sulpiride. Timing of onset of action was comparable in both drugs. The anxiolytic activity of sulpiride was equivalent to that of amitriptyline at 4, 6, 12 and 24 weeks using the Salkind Manifest Anxiety Inventory as a measure. There were no significant differences between the two groups, of variables measured by the Crown-Crisp Experiential Index, a life events scale and Paykel's Social Adjustment Scale.