[Paroxetine in the treatment of depressive disorders (pilot study)]

In an open study, 42 depressive patients (according to DSM-III-R) were administered paroxetine at mean minimal and maximum doses of 21 and 48 mg once daily in the morning. Treatment resulted in complete remission as defined by Serejsky in 57%, and 55% of patients were rated, according to CGI, as improved. Global HAMD and FKD scores significantly dropped compared to baseline values and responders and non-responders differed significantly as early as seven days of treatment, although the onset of the antidepressive effect was not clinically apparent before 2 weeks of treatment. Significant reductions were seen in all items except paranoidity and weight loss and hypochondria using the FKD scale. A substantial reduction in suicidal ideation and tendencies was also noted in the group of non-responders, a finding supporting a non-specific anti-suicidal effect of paroxetine, which was therapeutically significantly more successful in women than in men. Side effects occurring in 10% and more percent of treated subjects included fatiguability, sweating, tremor, dry mouth, obstipation and nausea.