OBJECTIVE: This was a first pilot study evaluating the acute phase (8-week) efficacy of the antidepressant medication mirtazapine for the treatment of depressive symptoms and drinking of subjects with comorbid major depressive disorder and alcohol dependence (MDD/AD). We hypothesized that mirtazapine would demonstrate within-group efficacy for the treatment of both depressive symptoms and drinking in these subjects. METHODS: We conducted a first open label study of the second generation antidepressant mirtazapine in 12 adult outpatient subjects with comorbid major depressive disorder/alcohol dependence. The pharmacological profile of that medication is unique among antidepressants, unrelated to tricyclics or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. RESULTS: Mirtazapine was well tolerated in this treatment population. Self-reported depressive symptoms decreased from 31.8 to 8.3 on the Beck Depression Inventory, a 74.0% decrease (p<0.001), and drinking decreased from 33.9 to 13.3 drinks per week, a 60.8% decrease (p<0.05). None of the subjects were employed full-time at baseline, but 9 of the 12 (75%) were employed full-time at end-of-study. CONCLUSIONS: These preliminary findings suggest efficacy for mirtazapine for treating both the depressive symptoms and excessive alcohol use of comorbid major depressive disorder and alcohol dependence. Double-blind studies are warranted to further clarify the efficacy of mirtazapine in this population.
OBJECTIVE: This was a first pilot study evaluating the acute phase (8-week) efficacy of the antidepressant medication mirtazapine for the treatment of depressive symptoms and drinking of subjects with comorbid major depressive disorder and alcohol dependence (MDD/AD). We hypothesized that mirtazapine would demonstrate within-group efficacy for the treatment of both depressive symptoms and drinking in these subjects. METHODS: We conducted a first open label study of the second generation antidepressant mirtazapine in 12 adult outpatient subjects with comorbid major depressive disorder/alcohol dependence. The pharmacological profile of that medication is unique among antidepressants, unrelated to tricyclics or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. RESULTS:Mirtazapine was well tolerated in this treatment population. Self-reported depressive symptoms decreased from 31.8 to 8.3 on the Beck Depression Inventory, a 74.0% decrease (p<0.001), and drinking decreased from 33.9 to 13.3 drinks per week, a 60.8% decrease (p<0.05). None of the subjects were employed full-time at baseline, but 9 of the 12 (75%) were employed full-time at end-of-study. CONCLUSIONS: These preliminary findings suggest efficacy for mirtazapine for treating both the depressive symptoms and excessive alcohol use of comorbid major depressive disorder and alcohol dependence. Double-blind studies are warranted to further clarify the efficacy of mirtazapine in this population.
Authors: Nadia Iovieno; Enrico Tedeschini; Kate H Bentley; A Eden Evins; George I Papakostas Journal: J Clin Psychiatry Date: 2011-04-19 Impact factor: 4.384
Authors: D V Sheehan; Y Lecrubier; K H Sheehan; P Amorim; J Janavs; E Weiller; T Hergueta; R Baker; G C Dunbar Journal: J Clin Psychiatry Date: 1998 Impact factor: 4.384
Authors: Jack R Cornelius; Oscar G Bukstein; D Scott Wood; Levent Kirisci; Antoine Douaihy; Duncan B Clark Journal: Addict Behav Date: 2009-03-12 Impact factor: 3.913
Authors: Jack R Cornelius; Tammy Chung; Antoine B Douaihy; Levent Kirisci; Jody Glance; Julie Kmiec; Douglas FitzGerald; Maribeth A Wesesky; Ihsan Salloum Journal: Psychiatry Res Date: 2016-06-15 Impact factor: 3.222
Authors: Jack R Cornelius; Antoine B Douaihy; Duncan B Clark; Dennis C Daley; Tammy A Chung; Maribeth A Wesesky; D Scott Wood; Ihsan Salloum Journal: J Addict Behav Ther Rehabil Date: 2013-08-24
Authors: J R Cornelius; T A Chung; A B Douaihy; L Kirisci; J Glance; J Kmiec; M A Wesesky; D FitzGerald; I Salloum Journal: J Addict Behav Ther Rehabil Date: 2016-12-30