A controlled double-blind study comparing binedaline and imipramine in the treatment of endogenous depression.

UNLABELLED

50 hospitalized endogenously depressed patients (age 20-60 years, HAM-D greater than or equal to 18) were treated daily with 3 X 50 mg imipramine or 3 X 100 mg binedaline. Clinical and laboratory assessments were done before and on days 1, 3, 5, 15 and 30 of treatment. Mean Hamilton and Zung scores were statistically significant lower on day 30 when compared with pretreatment scores. No psychiatric, clinical or statistical differences were noted between the two groups. The efficacy of the clinical global impression scale was slightly higher in the binedaline groups. Frequency of side effects (specially anticholinergic) was lower in the binedaline group.

CONCLUSION

binedaline is equally effective as imipramine, but with less side effects.