Long-term treatment with moclobemide. An open-label, non-comparative, multiple-distributed study in patients with a major depressive episode as defined by DSM-III.

Evaluation of 247 patients receiving long-term moclobemide treatment showed that it was effective as an antidepressant, as measured both by decrease in HAMD mean total score and the doctor's evaluation of therapeutic effect. In patients who had been treated for 6 months or less, results were less favourable (ratings of 'very good' or 'good' in 31.5%, compared with 81.3% in patients treated for more than 6 months). This was due to a higher number of drop-outs, as a result of insufficient efficacy in the first 6 months. In those patients who responded favourably, 9.2% relapsed within 6 months of commencing treatment; of the remaining responders, 16% relapsed during months 7-12. In terms of the doctor's evaluation of side-effects, tolerability was 'very good' or 'good' in 88.2%.