Moclobemide in continuation treatment of major depressive episodes: an open follow-up study over six months.

This was an open study of moclobemide, 300 to 450 mg daily, as continuation treatment for 18 weeks, after a 6-week randomized, double-blind acute treatment period with moclobemide administered in three different dosage regimens. The primary antidepressant efficacy criterion was the total score on the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression. Secondary efficacy criteria were the total scores on the Hamilton Rating Scale for Anxiety and the clinical global impression of illness, severity, and efficacy. The safety of moclobemide was assessed by the type, incidence, and severity of adverse events, as well as changes from baseline in vital signs. Moclobemide as continuation treatment of patients with major depressive episodes and comorbid anxiety was efficacious over a 6-month period. There was some additional antidepressant effect after 6 weeks of acute treatment, especially with respect to treatment response rates. Moclobemide was well tolerated, and no patient's treatment was terminated as the result of adverse events.