Comparison of the effects of lofepramin and mianserin in depressed patients in a double blind trial

: The therapeutic efficacy of two newly developed anti-depressants lofepramine and mianserin was compared in a double-blind clinical trial in 30 depressed inpatients. During the treatment period of 4 weeks the depressive symptoms assessed by the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression decreased in both groups. In this trial a stronger influence of lofepramine on the factor 'retarded depression' could be demonstrated (p = 0.08). In addition lofepramine showed a significantly better reduction of anxious reactions than mianserin (p less than 0.01). Concerning tolerance, no difference between the two drugs was observed.