V. Perez et al., A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial of pindolol augmentation in depressive patients resistant to serotonin reuptake inhibitors, ARCH G PSYC, 56(4), 1999, pp. 375-379
Background: Pindolol has been reported to hasten the antidepressant action
of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors in open-label and placebo-contro
lled trials. Pilot studies also suggested that pindolol could augment the a
ntidepressant response in unresponsive patients. We investigated whether th
e addition of pindolol can induce a rapid response in treatment-resistant p
atients.
Methods: After a single-blind lead-in placebo phase of 5 days to exclude pl
acebo responders, 80 outpatients with major depression who did not respond
to a minimum of 6 weeks of treatment with clomipramine hydrochloride, 150 m
g/d; fluoxetine hydrochloride, 40 mg/d; fluvoxamine maleate, 200 mg/d; or p
aroxetine hydrochloride, 40 mg/d, were randomly assigned to additionally re
ceive placebo (3 times daily) or pindolol (2.5 mg 3 times daily) for 10 day
s. The median number of ineffective treatments in the current episode was 2
(range, 1-4). Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression and Montgomery-Asberg S
cale for Depression scores were used as primary measures of efficacy.
Results: At end point, the Hamilton and Montgomery Asberg scores and change
from baseline in Hamilton score were not significantly different in patien
ts taking placebo or pindolol. The response rate was equal in both groups (
12.5%). No differences in the clinical outcome were found when the various
pretreatment subgroups were considered. At end point, the plasma concentrat
ion of pindolol was 9.9 +/- 5.1 ng/mL (mean +/- SD; n = 40).
Conclusions: Although pindolol can accelerate the antidepressant action of
selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors in previously untreated patients, i
t does not elicit a rapid clinical response in treatment-resistant patients
within a 10-day period.