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Worldwide use of clomipramine
1Department of Psychological Medicine, National Hospital for Nervous Disease, London, England.
The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry
|August 1, 1990
Summary
Clomipramine effectively treats depression and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). It shows significant benefits compared to placebo and is a valuable option for treatment-resistant depression and OCD, sometimes enhanced with combination therapy.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacology
- Psychiatry
Background:
- Clomipramine is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) with a long history of therapeutic use.
- Its efficacy has been established in various psychiatric and neurological conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the established efficacy of clomipramine.
- To highlight its use in treatment-resistant depression and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
Main Methods:
- Review of double-blind studies and comparative trials.
- Analysis of clomipramine's effectiveness against placebo and other tricyclic antidepressants.
Main Results:
- Clomipramine demonstrated significant efficacy in depression compared to placebo and was equivalent to standard tricyclics.
- The drug showed significant benefits in patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), irrespective of comorbid depression.
- Combination therapy with tryptophan and/or lithium may enhance clomipramine's efficacy in resistant depression.
Conclusions:
- Clomipramine is a highly effective treatment for depression and OCD.
- It is particularly useful for treatment-resistant depression and OCD, with potential for enhanced efficacy through combination therapies.
- While approved for OCD in the US, its broader therapeutic applications warrant consideration.