Ritanserin and flupenthixol in dysthymic disorder: A controlled double-blind study in general practice

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Abstract
Seventy patients with a diagnosis of dysthymic disorder (DSM-III) entered this comparative trial of 5-10 mg ritanserin and 1-2 mg flupenthixol given in the morning. The study was carried out as a double-blind, comparative study in general practice with a trial period of 6 weeks following a 1-week single-blind placebo washout period. Sixty-seven patients were evaluable, and 62 completed the trial. The efficacy analysis did not demonstrate statistically significant differences between ritanserin and flupenthixol on the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale or the Clinical Global Impressions (CGI). On the item “Severity of Illness” of the CGI, a trend in favour of flupenthixol was seen. The frequency of adverse reactions was low; both drugs were well tolerated. It is concluded that the key symptoms of dysthymic disorder were effectively relieved during treatment with ritanserin and flupenthixol. □ Dysthymia, Flupenthixol, 5-Hydroxytryptamine-2 antagonism, Ritanserin.