[A double-blind comparison study of nomifensine and imipramine in treating depressed patients]

Nomifensine was compared to imipramine in treatment of 40 patients with endogenous major depressive disorder. After one week washout, patients were randomly assigned to 5 weeks treatment with Nomifensine or Imipramine. Mean scores for HAM-D, HAM-A, GAS were significantly improved in both treatment groups (P less than 0.01). Two agents were similar in antidepressant efficacy and rapidity of action. Nomifensine treatment group had fewer side effect, whereas the Imipramine group had more adverse experiences. Effects of Nomifensine on the ECG were compared to those of imipramine. Both drugs increased heart rate. Nomifensine less than imipramine. QT measurement interval revealed a statistically significant decrease in imipramine group. Plasma Nomifensine and imipramine concentrations were not correlated with clinical response, side effects or electrocardiographic parameters. The steady-state plasma concentration 105 +/- 47ng/ml for nomifensine, 860 +/- 773ng/ml for imipramine were offaimed respectively at the fixed dose (225mg/day) during the 35 treatment day.