[Effectiveness of moclobemide in therapy-resistant depression]

The efficiency of moclobemide (selective reversible inhibitor of monoamine oxidase) in therapy of "hyperestetic" depressions and the relation of the drug's efficiency with both psychopathologic structure and severity of the disease were assessed. 20 patients with prolonged (more than 2 years duration) anxious-somatisized depressions resistant to the treatment with tricyclic antidepressants were treated. Moclobemide was quite effective in 14 (70%) patients. Psychopathologic structure of depression in the group of the responders was characterized by hypothymia, somatopsychic catesthesia and vitalized anxiety. There was a correlation between the therapeutic response, and the severity of depression. It is possible to use positive changes in HAM-D, HAM-A and SCL-90 rating scales as the predictors of the efficiency. It is necessary to use high daily doses (450-750 mg) to overcome resistance. Any side effects are practically absent.