[Antidepressant treatment by I.V. route compared to oral route of administration (author's transl)]

The therapeutic effects of oral and intravenous administration of a tricyclic antidepressant, Quinupramine, in depressive states, were compared in a double blind double placebo clinical study for an initial period of ten days. Treatment was continued by the oral route in an open study lasting one month. Thirty two patients were randomly distributed into two equal groups, and results were assessed and evaluated by Hamilton's depression rating scale. Parenteral administration was clearly superior in endogenous depressions, improvement being noted earlier and lasting longer. Maintenance therapy using the oral route produced better results when it was preceded by perfusions. This difference of activity following oral or parenteral administration was not observed in cases of neurotic or reactive depressions, where there was a good initial improvement, but this is not maintained clinically for long periods after perfusion therapy. Quinupramine injectable should be prescribed for the more severe cases of endogenous depressions as urgent therapy. The beneficial effects of the perfusions can be observed after the initial period by the quality and the continuing stability of the improvement produced.