Separate and combined anxiolytic and anti-depressant treatment of mixed anxiety/depression. A double-blind, placebo controlled comparison. Sussex Clinical Trials Group

Abstract

233 patients attending their general practitioners for mixed anxiety/depressive states were treated on a double-blind random allocation basis with one tablet to be taken three times daily, containing either 0.5 mg fluphenazine, 10 mg nortriptyline, a combination of 0.5 mg fluphenazine and 10 mg nortriptyline (Motival), or placebo. After 7 and 28 days' treatment, the combination product was found to be statistically superior to each of its active ingredients alone, as well as to placebo, with respect to anxiety, depression and non-specific symptoms. Side effects were not a clinical problem and occurred with similar frequency in each treatment group. The superiority of Motival over each of its constituents is in keeping with previous studies showing advantages of the combination of fluphenazine and nortriptyline over anxiolytic and anti-depressant drugs on their own.