Double-blind comparison of moclobemide, imipramine and placebo in depressive patients

In a prospective, randomized double-blind study, moclobemide was compared with imipramine and placebo in the treatment of depressed outpatients. Three parallel groups of 24 patients each received capsules containing 100 mg moclobemide, 33 mg imipramine or placebo for 6 weeks; the maximum daily dose was 6 capsules. The only concomitant psychotropic medication allowed was diazepam for severe agitation or insomnia, and continuation of established lithium prophylaxis; no tyramine restrictions were imposed. Both moclobemide and imipramine were clearly superior to placebo in reducing depressive symptoms, moclobemide showing a somewhat faster response on the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression than imipramine; the mean final improvement in total score compared with baseline was 48.3% for moclobemide, 50.2% for imipramine and 18.6% for placebo. The difference between moclobemide and imipramine was not significant. Placebo was clearly better tolerated than either active drug, and moclobemide slightly but not significantly better than imipramine. A 52-week assessment in 22 of the patients receiving moclobemide showed that the clinical response was maintained and the long-term treatment was well tolerated. It is concluded that both moclobemide and imipramine were superior to placebo in treatment of major depressive episodes in outpatients. There was a slight tendency to earlier response with moclobemide, probably because it can be given in the full dose from the start of treatment.