Buspirone in major depression: a controlled study.

One hundred and fifty-five outpatients suffering from major depression with moderate anxiety entered a double-blind study comparing 8 weeks of treatment with buspirone or placebo. Thirty-four percent of buspirone and 41% of placebo patients discontinued treatment before 8 weeks. Results were consistent across all physician- and patient-completed outcome measures, with treatment response to buspirone significantly better than to placebo at treatment endpoint. Seventy percent of buspirone and 35% of placebo patients (p less than .01) were rated moderately or markedly improved after 8 weeks of therapy. Initial levels of anxiety and depression had no significant effect on treatment outcome. Buspirone was found to be safe and well tolerated at doses of up to 90 mg/day.