Posted by AndrewB on October 20, 2000, at 17:48:42
Pramipexole augmentation in the treatment of unipolar and bipolar depression: a retrospective chart review. [In Process Citation]
Ann Clin Psychiatry 2000 Sep;12(3):137-140 (ISSN: 1040-1237)
Sporn J; Ghaemi SN; Sambur MR; Rankin MA; Recht J; Sachs GS; Rosenbaum JF; Fava M [Find other articles with these Authors]
Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, USA. spornj@intra.NIMH.NIH.GOV.OBJECTIVE: To assess the effectiveness and safety of pramipexole as an adjunctive medication in refractory bipolar and unipolar depression in a
naturalistic setting. METHODS: Retrospective chart review by psychiatrists on staff at a university hospital identified all patients who had received
pramipexole. Response was based on moderate to marked improvement in the Clinical Global Impression-Improvement (CGI-I) scale. RESULTS:
Pramipexole (mean dose 0.70 mg/d, mean duration 24.4 weeks) was effective in 6/12 (50.0%) of patients with bipolar depression, and 8/20 (40%)
of patients with unipolar depression, mean duration of follow-up of 24.4 weeks. One case of transient hypomania was noted. Eight patients
discontinued pramipexole due to lack of response and four due to side effects. CONCLUSIONS: Pramipexole, used as an adjunct to antidepressants or
mood stabilizers, appeared to be effective and safe in the treatment of unipolar and bipolar depression. These uncontrolled, retrospective, naturalistic
pilot data require confirmation by controlled research before conclusions can be made.
poster:AndrewB
thread:46903
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