Zimeldine in depressive illness--efficacy and safety data.

Two studies of zimeldine in depressive illness are reported, one a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, the other an open evaluation. In both studies, zimeldine was shown to have antidepressant properties. No simple relationship between plasma zimeldine or norzimeldine and clinical effect was demonstrated in eight patients treated for 6 weeks. Minor changes in electrocardiographic parameters were noted in some zimeldine patients. Side-effects attributable to zimeldine treatment were generally of mild to moderate severity and the drug was well tolerated. During the studies, one patient overdosed on zimeldine (5.2 g) and, although plasma concentrations were excessive, minimum side-effects were recorded. Two cases of suspected adverse drug reactions with zimeldine are described.