Nomifensine and amitriptyline in the treatment of depression. A multi-centre double-blind comparison.

Nomifensine, an antidepressive agent acting like a dopamine agonist, was investigated in a randomized double-blind comparison with amitriptyline in 29 patients fulfilling the RDC criteria for major depression. The dosage was 150 mg daily in both treatment groups. Assessments were made at weekly intervals for 6 weeks with the Comprehensive Psychopathological Rating Scale. No significant difference could be demonstrated between the two drugs in overall therapeutic efficiency, and only one item, Fatiguability, differed significantly in favour of amitriptyline. Physical and laboratory variables showed no statistically significant differences. Neither drug elicited serious unwanted effects.