Efficacy, safety and tolerability of quetiapine augmentation in treatment resistant depression: An open-label, pilot study

I. M. Anderson, A. Sarsfield, P. M. Haddad

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    Abstract

    Background: Atypical antipsychotics may have efficacy as augmentation therapy in treatment resistant depression (TRD) but evidence is limited. Methods: An open label study of quetiapine augmentation in 24 patients (mean age: 46.3 years) with a DSM-IV major depressive episode resistant to at least 2 trials of antidepressant medication, and currently taking a monoamine reuptake inhibitor. An 8-week treatment phase was followed by an 18-week extension in patients who showed clinical benefit. Results: Eighteen patients (75%) completed the 8-week treatment phase with seven patients (29%) being responders on the Montgomery Åsberg Depression Rating Scale and 13 (54%) on the CGI-I. Fewer patients responded if they had previously received olanzapine in the current episode but this was not statistically significant (0% v 37%, p = 0.27). Of the eleven patients entering the extension phase, 3 patients (27%) experienced a significant worsening of mood. The most common adverse events were sedation (54%), dry mouth (38%) and dizziness (29%). Significant weight gain was found in 40% of patients treated for 26 weeks. Average quetiapine doses were 245 mg at 8 weeks and 346 mg at 26 weeks. Conclusions: Quetiapine may be a helpful adjunctive agent for some patients with TRD but placebo-controlled trials are needed to establish its place in management. Limitations: The trial was open-label and the numbers were small. © 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)116-119
    Number of pages3
    JournalJournal of Affective Disorders
    Volume117
    Issue number1-2
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - Sept 2009

    Keywords

    • Antidepressant
    • Atypical antipsychotic
    • Augmentation
    • Monoamine reuptake inhibitor
    • Quetiapine
    • Treatment-resistant depression

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