Trazodone, a triazolopyridine derivative, in primary depressive disorder

A double-blind controlled study was conducted to compare the effects of imipramine and placebo with trazodone, a new antidepressant, in 45 hospitalized patients with primary depression. After a three to seven-day baseline period, patients were treated for four weeks. Response was assessed by the Hamilton Psychiatric Scale for Depression, Structured Clinical Interview, Clinical Global Impression, and Global Ward Behavior Scale. The antidepressant effect of trazodone was evident within seven days of treatment and persisted throughout the study. Patients treated with imipramine also improved, but the response was not as great or as rapid as in the trazodone group.