A double-blind comparison of moclobemide and amineptine in the treatment of depressed out-patients.

A randomized, double-blind, multicentre study was performed to compare the effects of moclobemide and amineptine in the treatment of endogenous depression in out-patients. Ninety patients received moclobemide, 450 mg/day and 94 received amineptine 200 mg/day in two parallel groups, over a trial period of 8 weeks. At the end of 4 weeks doses could be reduced to 300 mg/day, moclobemide and 100 mg/day, amineptine if required. All evaluated patients showed a significant clinical improvement during treatment, but no significant difference occurred between the groups. When patients were asked to assess the benefit of their treatment, 76% thought their condition had improved following moclobemide therapy, compared to 53% of those receiving amineptine. Both drugs were well tolerated, and over 60% of patients reported no side-effects. Moclobemide appeared to be as effective as amineptine in the treatment of these patients, and was significantly better tolerated.