A double-blind crossover trial of imipramine and phenelzine for outpatients with treatment-refractory depression.

Objective: Data from controlled studies concerning the response rates of patients to a second antidepressant medication after they have been unresponsive to a systematic trial of another antidepressant are extremely useful to cliniciaNs for rational prescription of pharmacotherapy. Such information allows making an accurate prognosis, sustaining realistic hope in the patient, and achieving the best possible therapeutic outcome. This study was designed to add to the scanty literature available on this subject