Adjunctive imipramine in the treatment of postpsychotic depression. A controlled trial.

The efficacy of adjunctive imipramine hydrochloride treatment for syndromally defined postpsychotic depression was assessed in a six-week, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. All patients had been diagnosed as having schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder, all were receiving stable doses of fluphenazine decanoate, and all had received benztropine mesylate in an attempt to rule out neuroleptic-induced akinesia. Patients randomized to imipramine therapy fared significantly better in terms of their global improvement and in terms of individual symptoms that are components of the depression syndrome. There were no significant differences in outcome psychosis ratings or side effects. This study indicates the existence of an identifiable syndrome of secondary depression in this patient group that is likely to respond favorably to treatment with adjunctive imipramine.