[Double-blind comparative study on the effects of lofepramine and amitriptyline in depressive outpatients (author's...

The anticholinergic side-effects of tricyclic antidepressants are unpleasant for the patients. Lofepramine, a new tricyclic antidepressant, has in animal studies been shown to have weak anticholinergic effects and a low acute toxicity. The aim of the present study was to see whether these pharmacological properties led to a lower rate of side-effects in depressed patients. In a double-blind trial 40 outpatients were treated with lofepramine or amitriptyline. Assessments were made with the Hamilton Scale, the Wakefield Self-Assessment Scale and a Side-effect Scale. 33 patients completed the trial. Both drugs proved effective. There were small differences in favour of lofepramine both in therapeutic efficacy and frequency of side-effects.