[Use of tianeptine (coaxil) in the treatment of late-life depression]

Abstract

Efficacy and safety of tianeptine (coaxil) for treatment of depressions in old age were studied in 15 depressed patients at the age of 54-78 years meeting ICD-10 criteria for depressive episode. Open method with a set of rating scales was employed. After the 28-day treatment relief of depressive symptoms was registered by all the scales since the therapy day 7. The degree of improvement on HAMD-scale was 50%, amount of responders--60%. The improvement of cognitive functions by the end of therapy was noted. Clinical predictors of Coaxil efficacy were determined by means of correlation and factor analyses. Relationship between the therapy efficacy and severity of some symptoms in the structure of depression were analyzed. The greatest efficacy of Coaxil was found in depression with prevalence of asthenic and somatovegetative symptoms, in patients with mild anxiety opposite the decrease of the effect in those with severe agitated depressions. The analysis of both frequency and severity of the side-effects has shown good tolerance to Coaxil. The adverse effects manifested with mild gastrointestinal disturbances and drowsiness during daytime.