Citalopram Versus Citalopram Plus Pindolol in Major Depressive Disorder

Citalopram Versus Citalopram Plus Pindolol in Latency of Antidepressant Response Shortening in Major Depressive Disorder

The purpose of this study is to examine whether the speed of the clinical antidepressant action of citalopram can be accelerated by administering double doses of pindolol (15 mg/day, tid) which presumably should lead to increased 5-HT1A autoreceptor occupancy.

Design, Settings, and Participants. A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial with MDD patients allocated to two treatment arms: citalopram + pindolol versus citalopram + placebo. Participants: outpatients with a depressive episode (DSM-IV criteria) were selected from a general hospital.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patients with a depressive episode
• HDRS score > 18
• Written informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

• suicidal risk > 3
• severe organic illness
• other psychotropic drugs