Objective:Over half of all patients with a major depressive episode will experience at least one additional episode throught their lifetime.In addition, recurrent depression has a pervasive effect on social functioning an health satus. Evaluate the therapeutic response of antidepressant agent Milnacipran (serotonergic and noradrenergic action) in outpatients with Major Depression (DSM IV criteria) during 6 months of treatment.
Design:In an open label, observational, multicenter, prospective and not comparative study, in 98 outpatients (age:>65 years).
Materials and Methods:Efficacy was evaluated by the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAM-D), Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) and Clinical Global Impression Scale (CGI). Tolerability and safety was evaluated by the UKU Scale of adverse effects.The dose of Milnacipran was 100 mg/day (50 mg in the morning + 50 mg in the night) during 6 months.
Results:Efficacy, tolerability and safety of Milnacipran were evaluated with specific scales for Depressio, the results show responses more or less satisfactory in moderate to severe recurrent Major Depression in elderly patients.
Conclusion:Noradrenergic and serotonergic simultaneous action of Milnacipran as a pharmacological therapy during 6 months of treatment showed important benefits on the therapeutic response in this study , with minimum adverse effects, optimal level of tolerability and an excellent safety profile in Major Depression Disorder.
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