Oxaprotiline in the treatment of endogenous depressed inpatients an early clinical trial.

Oxaprotiline (C 49/802 BA), a further development and structural analogue of maprotiline, is characterized by a very potent and extremely specific inhibitory effect on the re-uptake of norepinephrine. In an open early phase II study oxaprotiline was investigated in 10 inpatients with endogenous depression with regard to its antidepressive efficacy and occurrence of adverse effects. Oxaprotiline was given in a dosage up to 225 mg over a period of 28 days. 9 out of 10 patients completed the study, and, of these, 5 were found to be either very much improved or much improved. Standardized rating scales (HAMD, Bf-S, EWL-K) indicated significant improvement after 4 weeks of treatment. Except dry mouth, generally mild, there were no remarkable side effects; there was no influence of oxaprotiline on heart, cardiovascular and routine laboratory parameters. The results of this study indicate that oxaprotiline is an effective antidepressant without significant adverse effects.