Aripiprazole combined with venlafaxine in treatment of intractable depression

AIM To explore the efficacy and safety of aripiprazole combined with venlafaxine in the treatment of intractable depression.METHODS Seventy-two patients with intractable depression were randomly assigned into aripiprazole combined with venlafaxine group (studied group,n=36) and venlafaxine alone group (controlled group,n=36).The dose of venlafaxine was 25 mg,bid,for 7-10 d and added to 175- 300 mg·d~(-1);and that of aripiprazole was 5 mg·d~(-1),all together for 6 wk as a course.The therapeutic effect and safety were measured by HAMD,HAMA and TESS scores.RESULTS There were significant differences of decreased scores of HAMD,HAMA between the two groups by the ends of 1,2,6 wk,respectively (P0.01).After 6 wk,the effective rates of the studied group and controlled group were 86% and 56%, respectively,showing significant difference (P0.05).Slight adverse reactions occurred majorly in both groups at the initial stage of treatment and gradually remitted via expectant treatment.CONCLUSION The combination of aripiprazole with venlafaxine is better than venlafaxine alone in the treatment of intractable depression.