A double-blind comparison of oral amitriptyline and low-dose intramuscular flupenthixol decanoate in depressive illness

Abstract

Fifty-seven hospital out-patients with depressive symptoms were studied in a double-blind manner for up to 4 weeks, 30 whilst being treated with intramuscular flupenthixol decanoate (5 to 10 mg/fortnight) and 27 with oral amitriptyline (75 to 150 mg/day). The results of assessment using the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression, the Leeds Self-Rating Scale for Depression and the Clinical Global Impressions severity scale showed that both therapies were effective in resolving depression in the patients studied. The two treatments were well tolerated and side-effect profiles were similar, dry mouth, faintness/dizziness and drowsiness being the most frequently reported adverse events. Extrapyramidal signs were seen in similar numbers of patients in each treatment group. One patient from each of the two groups was withdrawn from therapy before the end of the study because of adverse events.