LONG-TERM TREATMENT OF DEPRESSION WITH NEFAZODONE

The utility of double-blind continuation data in assessing long-term e fficacy was evaluated in an analysis of data from the development prog ram of a new antidepressant, nefazodone. The benefit of nefazodone the rapy was examined during continuation treatment of patients who improv ed during the 6-8 week acute phase of efficacy studies. Discontinuatio n for lack of efficacy was used as an indicator of relapse. Pooled lon g-term data from the extension phases of pracebo-controlled, acute eff icacy trials were analyzed by the Kaplan-Meier method to estimate surv ival curves for time to discontinuation. Both nefazodone (p < .01) and imipramine (p < .05) were more effective than placebo during long-ter m continuation therapy. The findings demonstrate the value of double-b lind continuation data in the evaluation of long-term drug benefit and provide an early assessment of nefazodone's effectiveness in continua tion treatment of major depression.