Efficacy of tianeptine in comparative trials versus reference antidepressants. An overview.

The clinical properties of tianeptine have been assessed in double-blind controlled studies, which involved depressed patients fulfilling DSM-III criteria for either major depression--single episode or recurrent (without melancholia and psychotic features)--or dysthymic disorder--with or without an additional diagnosis of alcohol abuse or dependence. Five studies have compared tianeptine with reference antidepressants: its efficacy has been found to be similar to that of amitriptyline in depressed out-patients. However, these data need to be confirmed by other controlled trials v. reference drugs and by at least two placebo-controlled studies. Tianeptine does not induce sleep disorders, anticholinergic effects, or modifications of cardiovascular variables or biological parameters (renal, haematological, or hepatic). After the end of treatment, the only signs of withdrawal have been some disturbances of sleep.