Zinc Supplementation of Imipramine Therapy

The Role of Zinc in Therapy of Unipolar Depression

Examination of the effect of zinc supplementation on imipramine therapy in major depression.

A placebo-controlled, double blind study of zinc supplementation in imipramine therapy was conducted in sixty, depressed patients fulfilling the DSM-IV criteria for major depression without psychotic symptoms. After a one week washout period, patients were randomized into two groups treated with imipramine and receiving once daily either placebo (n=30) or zinc supplementation (n=30) for 12 weeks.

Inclusion Criteria:

• patients with fulfilled DSM-IV criteria for moderate or severe depressive episode
• one week washout period without any pharmacotherapy

Exclusion Criteria:

• psychotic symptoms