Viqualine in Resistant Depression: A Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial

Abstract

Viqualine dihydrochloride is a new molecule, which possesses strong serotonin reuptake inhibition properties and, at the same time, diazepam-like actions, such as [³H]-diazepam-binding inhibition and antipunishment effect. The drug was administered double-blindly to 10 patients suffering from major depression resistant to previous treatments with tricyclics. The comparison group (10 patients) received placebo. Lorazepam (10 mg/day) was also given to both groups. Viqualine proved to be significantly superior to placebo in the 4th week of treatment on all the three rating scales which were used. Tolerability of viqualine was good both objectively and on subjective grounds.

Randomised controlled trials investigating pharmacological and psychological interventions for treatment-refractory depression

“…Group 1, oestrogen 5-25 mg/day or, Group 2, placebo (of similar appearance). Previous medications were withdrawn 12 weeks 11/25 0/22 44% (25 to 63%) Improvement defined as 10 or more points reduction on HRSD Faravelli et al , 1988 20 ‘double-blind placebo-controlled trial assigned on a random basis’ In-patients with a diagnosis of major depressive episode (DSM-III-R). Score of at least 18 on HRSD, age between 18 and 65 years Previous episodes of major depression in which the patients showed poor response to treatment with tricyclic antidepressants at doses of at least 150 mg 5-day drug-free period.…”

“…There were four trials which compared a pharmacological agent with a placebo (Table 1). The agents investigated were oestrogen (Klaiber et al , 1979), viqualine (Faravelli et al , 1988), ketoconazole (Malison et al , 1999) and paroxetine (Tyrer et al , 1987). Two of these studies were also crossover trials from which we extracted data for the 2 weeks prior to crossover.…”

“…Two of these trials (Klaiber et al , 1979; Faravelli et al , 1988) found a significant advantage compared with placebo, despite their low statistical power. The largest of these four trials randomised 47 subjects.…”

Tricyclics and newer antidepressant medications: Treatment options for treatment‐resistant depressions

“…Fluvoxamine, another SSRI, had a 28% response rate in an inpatient study of patients with a history of TCA nonresponse (Delgado et al, 1988). Finally, Faravelli et al (1988) reported that an investigational SSRI, viqualine, was superior to placebo (five of ten versus zero of ten) in a small study of outpatients who had failed to respond to a TCA. Finally, Faravelli et al (1988) reported that an investigational SSRI, viqualine, was superior to placebo (five of ten versus zero of ten) in a small study of outpatients who had failed to respond to a TCA.…”

“…However, Nolen et al (1988b) found only 2 of 56 patients (4%) responded to fluvoxamine in a 4-week trial of 59 inpatients with TRD. Finally, Faravelli et al (1988) reported that an investigational SSRI, viqualine, was superior to placebo (five of ten versus zero of ten) in a small study of outpatients who had failed to respond to a TCA. In summary, most trials are consistent with the notion that SSRIs in TCA nonresponders are associated with a 30-SO% response rate.…”