Amineptine in the management of the depressive syndromes.

The antidepressant activity of amineptine was evaluated in 34 patients in a double-blind study vs clomipramine. Clinical results, assessed using the Hamilton rating scale for depression, failed to show any significant difference in the activity of the two drugs. Amineptine was however much better tolerated than clomipramine. The antidepressant activity of amineptine was further investigated in an open multicenter study carried out in 351 depressed patients. The significant reductions in the scores of the Hamilton rating scale for depression and the final clinical evaluations (87% favorable results, 69% of which excellent or good) confirmed the therapeutic efficacy of amineptine. Tolerance was excellent also in elderly, at risk patients.