US EPA

8314959 

Journal Article 

Treatment of depression with maprotiline hydrochloride: Multicenter evaluation of efficacy and tolerability 

Baron, DA; Caffrey, D; Dibianco, JT 

1983 

Yes 

Clinical Therapeutics
ISSN: 0149-2918 

5 

4 

377-384 

English 

A multicenter, noncomparative evaluation of the antidepressant effects and tolerability of maprotiline hydrochloride was undertaken. The drug was given to 134 patients between the ages of 17 and 83 years who had either a dysthymic disorder or a major depressive disorder. In most cases, the starting dosage was 75 mg/day with a mean of 71.6 mg/day. The mean final dosage was 144.7 mg/day. Mean dosages were considerably lower in patients aged 65 and over. Patients were given maprotiline for six weeks and were evaluated before treatment and one, two to three, four to five, and six or more weeks after starting use of the drug. Efficacy was judged on the basis of overall improvement, compared with the patient's condition before using maprotiline, and reductions in the specific symptoms of disturbed sleep, anxiety, depressed mood, and lack of drive. The results indicate that maprotiline is a highly effective antidepressant drug with a rapid onset of action in some cases. By the final week of treatment, 89% of the evaluated patients had marked or moderate improvement in their overall condition. Fifty-three patients had one or more side effects, which were mostly mild or moderate. Only one patient complained of a severe side effect, lethargy. Anticholinergic effects, notably dry mouth (19%), and sedation (16%) were the predominant side effects. There was no greater incidence of side effects in patients 65 years of age and older than in younger patients. It is thus concluded that maprotiline is a safe and effective antidepressant agent for adults of all ages.