Mianserin hydrochloride: a new anti-depressant drug

The tetracyclic anti-depressant drug mianserin hydrochloride has been assessed in an open clinical study in 24 psychiatric out-patients, who were prescribed 30 mg. mianserin daily, and were rated on the Hamilton Rating Scale and on the Wakefield Self-Assessment Inventory on day 0, before starting therapy, and on days 7 and 28 of their treatment. The results support the view that mianserin has anti-depressant properties, and the patients' self-rating scores confirm that the level of anti-depressant action is similar to amitriptyline. Drowsiness was the only side effect reported.