Effect of pindolol on onset of action of paroxetine in the treatment of major depression: Intermediate analysis of a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

Investigated the effect on pindolol to accelerate the onset of action of paroxetine in 100 patients suffering from major depression. Ss were randomly assigned, for the 1st 21 days, to treatment with paroxetine (20 mg/day) and either pindolol (5 mg t.i.d.) or placebo. Ss were evaluated with the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression, the Montgomery Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS), and Global Clinical Impression (CGI) on Days 0 (baseline), 5, 10, 15, 21, 25, 31, 60, 120, and 180. Intermediate analysis of the 1st month's results for the 1st 100 Ss was performed. At Day 10 there were more improved patients in the pindolol plus paroxetine group than in the placebo plus paroxetine group. At Day 5 there was no statistically significant difference, and at Day 15 there after, the differences between the 2 groups disappeared. Hamilton depression scores, CGI, and MADRS scores were significantly lower on Days 5 and 10 for the pindolol plus paroxetine group than for the placebo plus paroxetine group. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved)