Zimeldine versus nomifensine. A double-blind study of depressed inpatients

A double-blind comparison of zimeldine, a selective 5-HT reuptake inhibitor, and nomifensine, a noradrenaline and a dopamine reuptake inhibitor, was carried out in 43 inpatients with a scheduled treatment period of 6 weeks. All patients were diagnosed as definite major depressive disorder according to Research Diagnostic Criteria (RDC), and the WHO International Classification of Diseases (ICD-9). The antidepressive efficacy was evaluated by a 10-item subscale of the Comprehensive Psychopathological Rating Scale (CPRS), a clinical global impression (CGI) scale and a self-rating scale (VAMS). Side effects were recorded, and anticholinergic effect was evaluated by parotid saliva volume measurement. No statistically significant differences in efficacy or profile between the two drugs were demonstrable. With the exception of increased sweating in the zimeldine group there were no statistically significant differences in side effects.