MONOAMINE-OXIDASE INHIBITORS IN RESISTANT MAJOR DEPRESSION - A DOUBLE-BLIND COMPARISON OF BROFAROMINE AND TRANYLCYPROMINE IN PATIENTS RESISTANT TO TRICYCLIC ANTIDEPRESSANTS

In a double-blind study the selective monoamine oxidase-A inhibitor br ofaromine was compared with the classical MAOI tranylcypromine in 39 p atients with major depression resistant to treatment with tricyclic an tidepressants. Concerning efficacy no significant differences were fou nd. Ten out of 22 patients responded to brofaromine and 5 out of 17 pa tients to tranylcypromine. Adverse effects favoured brofaromine. Altho ugh orthostatic hypotension occurred in both groups, severe decrease i n blood pressure and dizziness occurred significantly more with tranyl cypromine. Both MAOIs caused a decrease in stage 4 and REM sleep and a n increase in REM latency. In most patients receiving tranylcypromine REM sleep was completely abolished.