Posted by ed_uk2010 on April 6, 2010, at 14:31:07
In reply to Re: Quick poll: Amitriptyline or Doxepin » ed_uk2010, posted by tensor on April 6, 2010, at 13:55:51
>Btw, how come clomipramine does not have FDA approval for the treatment of depression?
When clomipramine (Anafranil) was launched in the US, there were already several tricyclics on the market, all of which were approved for depression. Geigy (now Novartis) must have decided to promote Anafranil for OCD, rather than depression, in order to establish a unique place for their new product in psychiatry. I don't think that Geigy ever applied to the FDA for Anafranil to be approved for depression.
In many countries, such as the UK, Anafranil has always been approved for depression AND for OCD. Anafranil is certainly an effective treatment for severe depression. It's also useful for panic disorder and other types of anxiety and phobias. Anafranil is the only TCA which is effective for OCD.
The situation with clonazepam is rather similar. When clonazepam was launched, there were already several benzos on the market for anxiety and insomnia. As a result, Roche decided to promote clonazepam as a anti-epileptic. It's also effective for anxiety, of course.
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