TREATMENT OF DEPRESSION WITH L-5-HYDROXYTRYPTOPHAN VERSUS IMIPRAMINE - RESULTS OF 2 OPEN AND ONE DOUBLE-BLIND-STUDY

  • 1 January 1977
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 224  (2) , 175-186
Abstract
Two open dose finding trails with L-5-HTP [5-hydroxytryptophan] in combination with Benzerazide were performed. These open studies were followed by a double-blind trial comparing L-5-HTP in combination with benzerazide to imipramine in 30 patients. Assessments were carried out on day 0, 5, 10, 15 and 20. The Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression, the AMP[Work-Study Group for Methods and Documentation in Psychiatry]-system, a Global Rating Scale of Severity of Depression and a Brief Rating Scale for the Behavior on the Ward were used. No significant difference was found in efficacy of L-5-HTP and imipramine. The same was found in an open trial. The L-5-HTP results showed no difference compared with results of an imipramine treatment in 40 patients in earlier double-blind studies. L-5-HTP caused mainly gastrointestinal side-effects, and imipramine mainly caused dryness of the mouth and tremor. Gastrointestinal side-effects caused by L-5-HTP apparently were dose dependent.

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