A double-blind trial of mianserin and nomifensine in depressed outpatients

Abstract

1 Following a seven day drug-free period, 80 depressed outpatients were randomly allocated to receive mianserin 60 mg nocte or nomifensine 150 mg daily. Blindness was maintained by the use of a double-dummy technique. 2 All measures of efficacy showed a trend in favour of mianserin throughout the four week trial, including the Hamilton Depression Scale (HDS), the Beck Self-rating Depression Inventory (BDI), the Clinical Global Impression (CGI) and the Efficacy Index. 3 Significant advantages in efficacy for mianserin were observed at day 14 on the HDS and at days 7, 14 and 21 on the CGI. 4 Substantially more patients experienced marked or moderate improvement during treatment with mianserin than with nomifensine. Side-effects were low with both drugs. 5 On the basis of the present trial and a previous comparison, mianserin appears to be a more effective antidepressant than nomifensine.