An open study of oxcarbazepine combined with selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitor in treating outpatients with agitated depression

Objective To observe the efficacy and safety of oxcarbazepine combined with selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitor (SSRI) in the treatment of outpatients with agitated depression. Methods Thirty-two outpatients with agitated symptoms meeting CCMD-3 depression criteria were treated with oxcarbazepine combined with SSRI for 8 w: the dosage of oxcarbazepine changed dairy (1st and 2nd d, 0.3 g; 3rd d, 0.6 g; 7th and 8th, 1.2-1.5 g). The efficacy and side effects were assessed by Hamilton depression scale, Hamilton anxiety rating scale and Young manic-state rating scale. Results The mean dosage of oxcarbazepine in 32 patients was (1020±65) mg/d. Their mean effective rate and full remission rate 87.5% and 65.6%,respectively. The mean effective rate and full remission rate 1, 2, 4 and 8 w after the treatment were 28.1% (9/32) and 6.3% (2/32), 37.5% (12/32) and 12.5% (4/32), 46.9% (15/32) and 31.3% (10/32), and 90.6% (29/32) and 65.6% (21/32), respectively. The scores of the above scales 1, 2, 4 and 8 w after the treatment were significantly different with those before the treatment (P<0.05). Phase inversion was not found in these 32 patients. Conclusion The oxcarbazepine combined with SSRI maybe one of the better ways in the treatment of patients with agitated depression. Key words: Agitated depression; Selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitor; Oxcarbazepin