AN OPEN TRIAL OF MOCLOBEMIDE IN THE TREATMENT OF POSTTRAUMATIC-STRESS-DISORDER

Traditional monoamine oxidase inhibitors have shown efficacy in the tr eatment of post-traumatic stress disorder, but their use is limited by some serious drug and food interactions. Moclobemide, which is a reve rsible inhibitor of monoamine oxidase-A, is relatively free of these l imitations and is therefore potentially useful in the treatment of pos t-traumatic stress disorder. Twenty patients who met Diagnostic and St atistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Third Edition Revised (DSM-III-R ) criteria for post-traumatic stress disorder were entered irate a 12- week open study with moclobemide. Assessments were completed every 4 w eeks. Eleven participants no longer met DSM-III-R criteria for post-tr aumatic stress disorder by week 12. The severity of post-traumatic str ess disorder reduced by 2.09 SD (95% confidence interval 1.49-2.69; p < 0.001) and functional impairment improved by 1.08 SD (95% confidence interval 0.46-1.69; p < 0.01). Adverse events were minimal. Controlle d, double-blind studies should be considered to confirm these findings .