Effects of Risperidone Augmentation to Paroxetine on the Treatment-Resistant Depression

Objective:To explore the effects of low-dose risperidone augmentation to paroxetine on the treatment-resistant depression.Method: 98 patients with the treatment-resistant depression were randomly assigned to the two groups:a low dose(0.5～2.0 mg/d) of risperidone plus paroxetine group and paroxetine group.Two groups were assessed with Hamilton Depression Scale(HAMD),Hamihon Anxiety Scale(HAMA),and Treatment Emergent Symptom(TESS) at baseline and every one or two weeks subsequently,The study lasted for 4 weeks.Results:①The 48 combining-treatment patients included 25males and 23females with the average age of(41±12) years.The 50 mono-treatment patients included 26 males and 24～males with the average age of(42±12)years.②There were significant differences on the scores of HAMD and HAMA between the two groups at two weeks and the endpoint of treatment(P0.05).③In the augmented treatment group,66%responded,while 27%responded in mono-therapy group.Risperidone augmentation produced greater improvement than paroxetine mono-therapy(P0.05).Conclusion:Risperidone may be a useful adjunct to paroxetine in treatment of refractory depression.