The use of pindolol with fluoxetine in the treatment of major depression: Final results from a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

Robert M. Berman, Amit Anand, Angela Cappiello, Helen L. Miller, X. Sylvia Hu, Dan A. Oren, Dennis S. Charney

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

81 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background: Preliminary reports have suggested that concomitant institution of pindolol and serotonin reuptake inhibitors robustly hastens clinical response; however, contradictory evidence from a randomized double- blind, controlled trial was recently reported by this group in a population of depressed patients who were prescribed fluoxetine and pindolol. Herein, we report final results from an extended sample size. Methods: Drug-free outpatients with a major depressive episode were randomized in a double- blind manner to one of two treatment conditions: fluoxetine (20 mg daily) with pindolol (7.5 to 10 mg daily) or fluoxetine (20 mg daily) with placebo. After 6 weeks, patients were followed for 3 more weeks in a single-blind manner, on fluoxetine and placebo pindolol. Results: Eighty-six patients completed at least 1 or more weeks on protocol, with 45 and 41 patients randomized to the pindolol and placebo groups respectively. After 2 weeks on protocol, partial remission (i.e., at least 50% decrease in depression rating scores from baseline) rates for pindolol (16%) and placebo (19%) groups were comparable. By the study's end, a partial remission was achieved, at least transiently, for 67% of the pindolol group and 80% of the placebo group. Pindolol treatment was associated with statistically significant reduction in blood pressure and pulse as compared to the control group. The two groups did not have overall differences in rates of attrition, time to response, and side effects. Conclusions: In accord with our previously published findings, these extended results do not support the efficacy of pindolol in hastening clinical response to fluoxetine in a patient population with predominantly chronic and recurrent depression.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1170-1177
Number of pages8
JournalBiological Psychiatry
Volume45
Issue number9
DOIs
StatePublished - May 1999
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Controlled trial
  • Fluoxetine
  • Pindolol
  • Serotonin receptors

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'The use of pindolol with fluoxetine in the treatment of major depression: Final results from a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this