Response of depressive symptoms to nortriptyline, phenelzine and placebo.

The effects of nortriptyline, phenelzine, and placebo on 13 symptoms of depression were compared in 75 patients, aged 55 or over, who were suffering from major depression. Nortriptyline and phenelzine were more effective than placebo in treating depression mood, guilt feelings, suicidal ideation, agitation, anxiety, loss of energy, and a.m. diurnal variation of mood. Nortriptyline was better than phenelzine or placebo in improving middle/late insomnia. Most of the symptoms did not show significant improvement until the fourth week of treatment.