Bromocriptine and imipramine in endogenous depression. A double-blind controlled trial in out-patients

Among 33 out-patients with endogenous depression, 16 were treated with bromocriptine (10-60 mg/day, mean 34) and 17 with imipramine (75-250 mg/day, mean 143). The total score on the Hamilton Rating Scale decreased during 6-week treatment from 19.9 to 7.8 in the bromocriptine group (P less than 0.001) and from 20.1 to 6.1 in the imipramine group (P less than 0.001). There was no significant difference between the two groups. The main side-effects were for bromocriptine: nausea, dizziness, and headache; for imipramine; dryness of mouth, dizziness, and sweating. This study suggests an antidepressant effect of bromocriptine although, due to the possibility of Type II error, it may not necessarily be equal to that of imipramine.