Citation

Yamagami S, Koide S, Mui K, Perk S, Hirayama E, Kioka T, Soejima K, Inoue K, Nishiwaki S. Int. J. Clin. Pharmacol. Res. 1995; 15(1): 1-7.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1995, Bioscience Ediprint)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

7490169

Abstract

The therapeutic efficacy, utility and safety of bifemelane hydrochloride were studied in 52 elderly depressive patients. The drug was administered as a tablet containing 50 mg orally three times daily for 8 consecutive weeks. The final global improvement rating and global utility rating were respectively 80.8 and 73.1 percent for all patients. The improvement rates on the Hamilton depression rating scale (HAM-D) were more than 60% for depressed mood, guilt, suicide, middle insomnia, delayed insomnia, psychotic anxiety, gastro-intestinal symptom, hypochondriasis, depersonalization and derealization. The rates regarding global symptoms evaluated by the Psychoneurotic rating scale for doctor's use were more than 60% for tension, agitation, irritability and excitement, phobia, depression, hypochondria and nocturnal delirium in psychotic symptoms, and insomnia in addition to palpitation in somatic symptoms. A significant decrease was also observed in the symptoms covered by the Self-rating depression scale of Zung after treatment with this drug. There were no instances of side-effects, nor any abnormalities in laboratory tests, encountered throughout the trial. Therefore, bifemelane hydrochloride is of value for the treatment of geriatric depression.

Language: en

Keywords

Aged; Antidepressive Agents; Benzhydryl Compounds; Depressive Disorder; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Psychiatric Status Rating Scales