[Amoxapine and clomipramine. A controlled multicenter study in patients with major depression].

This multicentric study carried out in 1987 in 6 University hospital Centers enabled the comparison, under double blind conditions, of the antidepressant efficacy of amoxapine with that of clomipramine. For the planning, the design and the documentation of this study, the BLIPS/BDP (Biometric Laboratory Information Processing System/Banca Dati Psicofarmacologia) at the CCPDD (Center for Clinical Psychopharmacology Data Documentation) from the Institute of Psychiatry of the Pisa University was used. A total number of 108 patients, who fulfilled the DSM III criteria for major depressive episode, were treated (54 by amoxapine, and 54 by clomipramine). The results have shown: 1) The antidepressant activity of amoxapine was at least comparable to that of clomipramine. 2) The onset of action of amoxapine was quicker than that of clomipramine. 3) Amoxapine is well tolerated and the frequency of unwanted effects is lower compared to that of clomipramine.