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True and apparent side effects in a controlled trial of chlorpromazine and imipramine in depression

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Abstract

Five hundred and fifty-five acutely depressed patients receiving chlorpromazine and imipramine, were studied to determine the incidence and severity of drug-related side effects. The ability of clinicians to distinguish between drug-related side effects and symptoms considered natural to the depressive illnesses was also investigated. The results indicated that side effects were minimal for both active drug groups and that among the dropouts for serious side effects (31 cases) the majority were receiving chlorpromazine. Skin rash and hypotension were the most frequent reasons cited for side effect terminations from the study.

It appeared that clinicians were generally able to distinguish drug-related side effects from symptoms usually associated with depression. There was some indication, however, that they tended to rate as non-medication related, certain symptoms which were actually drug-induced. The latter included muscle rigidity, edema, and dry mouth on chlorpromazine and tremulousness on imipramine.

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Author notes

  1. Joy G. Schulterbrandt

    Present address: The Center for Studies of Child and Family Mental Health, NIMH, USA

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Pscychopharmacology Research Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, USA

    Joy G. Schulterbrandt, Allen Raskin & Natalie Reatig

Authors
  1. Joy G. Schulterbrandt
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  2. Allen Raskin
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  3. Natalie Reatig
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Additional information

This study was supported by grants numbered MH-10445, MH-10420, MH-10546 MH-10295, MH-10331, MH-10812, MH-10330, MH-10889, MH-10495 and MH-10892 from the National Institute of Mental Health.

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Schulterbrandt, J.G., Raskin, A. & Reatig, N. True and apparent side effects in a controlled trial of chlorpromazine and imipramine in depression. Psychopharmacologia 38, 303–317 (1974). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00429128

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00429128

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