A multiple-dose, controlled study of phenelzine in depression-anxiety states

In a double-blind, controlled experiment, 62 outpatients with symptoms of depression with anxiety were selected for treatment with phenelzine sulfate, 60 mg daily, phenelzine sulfate, 30 mg daily, or placebo for six weeks. Forty-nine patients (79%) completed the experiment. Phenelzine sulfate, 60 mg daily, was significantly more effective than placebo in relieving symptoms of both depression and anxiety. Phenelzine sulfate, 30 mg daily, did not differ from the placebo. Only phenelzine sulfate, 60 mg daily, resulted in a median inhibition of platelet monoamine oxidase that exceded 80%. The results confirm a previous study that found phenelzine to be effective in the treatment of outpatients with depressive-anxiety states. Drug dosage is an important variable influencing clinical outcome in this patient group.