Increased antidepressant-like effect of desipramine combined with central stimulants (caffeine and amphetamine) in mice

Desipramine is a widely used antidepressive agent that inhibits the reuptake of noradrenaline and serotonin, and central stimulants such as caffeine and amphetamine help to release noradrenaline and serotonin. This work aimed to evaluate whether the combination of these agents could produce a stronger antidepressant-like effect than either of the drugs alone. To this end, male mice were treated with different doses of desipramine, caffeine, amphetamine, desipramine-caffeine and desipramine-amphetamine. The results showed that all drugs produced decreased immobility time in the forced swimming model. The combined treatment of desipramine (0.31, 1.0 or 3.1 mg/kg i.p.) with caffeine or amphetamine (0.31 or 1 mg/kg i.p.) reduced immobility time greater than either of those drugs alone. The combined treatment of desipramine (0.31, 1 and 3.1 mg/kg i.p.) with amphetamine or caffeine (0.1 and 1 mg/kg i.p.) did not increase the motor activity significantly compared to the control. These results also suggested that drugs which promote the release of noradrenaline and serotonin could increase antidepressant-like effect of desipramine.

Fluoxetina: profilo terapeutico e farmacoeconomico di un prodotto generico

Fluoxetine has been the first antidepressive agent of the class of selective serotonine reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) to be introduced in therapy, back in 1987. The availability of SSRIs has meant a great advance in the treatment of major depression and other neuro-psychiatric pathologies. In this paper we review the scientific and clinical research on fluoxetine that has been published in the last six years, as the prior work has been extensively examined in a review conducted on the tenth anniversary of its introduction on the market. The review focuses on cost minimization strategies that can be conducted following the introduction of low cost generic fluoxetine.

Thyrotropin releasing hormone (TRH) as a possible quick-acting but short-lasting antidepressant

SynopsisIn a double reversal design the potency of thyrotropin releasing hormone (TRH) (500 μgintravenously) as a quick-acting antidepressive agent was evaluated. A first injection did seem to give rise to a very slight short-lasting effect, though this could not be ascertained clearly. There were no visible effects after a second injection. The thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) response curve after TRH administration in the depressive patients group was blunted in comparison with that in a matched control group of normals.