A two-center double-blind study of nomifensine, imipramine, and placebo in depressed geriatric outpatients.

Both nomifensine and imipramine were superior to placebo in a 4-week double-blind study involving 63 geriatric patients (greater than 60 years) with primary affective disorder-depression. Significant improvement in the active drug groups was demonstrated on the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, Clinical Global Impressions, Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale, and Hopkins Symptom Check List. Analysis of laboratory and physical examination data, including ECGs, revealed no clinically significant changes associated with either drug. Compared to the imipramine group, nomifensine-treated patients showed a more rapid rate of improvement and a lower incidence of discomforting side effects.