RESPONSE TO AN OPEN TRIAL OF A 2ND SSRI IN MAJOR DEPRESSION

Background: We evaluated the efficacy of a second serotonin selective reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) in patients who had failed to respond to the first SSRI used. Method: Fifty-five patients with major depression wh o had failed one of the SSRIs for their current depressive episode wer e included. After failing a trial of one SSRI, they received a second SSRI in an open clinical trial. Results: On the basis of the Clinical Global Impression-Improvement scale, 28 of 55 patients had a marked or complete antidepressant response. Conclusion: These data provide prel iminary clinical evidence that substituting a second SSRI may be a use ful clinical alternative in depressed patients who fail to respond to an adequate trial of an SSRI.