Amoxapine in depressive illness.

A double-blind trial was carried out in 29 patients recently admitted to hospital with depressive illness to compare the effectiveness and side-effect liability of treatment with amoxapine and imipramine. Both drugs were given in a dosage of 25 mg 3-times daily over a period of 4 weeks, and patients' progress was assessed using psychiatric and psychological rating scales for depression. Although amoxapine and imipramine proved equally effective, response to amoxapine was quicker and appeared to have the same effect after 1 week as did imipramine after 2 weeks. In addition, dryness of the mouth was complained of most frequently by patients taking imipramine.