A controlled double-blind trial of moclobemide and imipramine in the treatment of depression.

The aim of this study is to compare the antidepressant efficacy and side effects of moclobemide with imipramine (a standard antidepressant). Moclobemide is a reversible inhibitor of monoamine-oxidase-A (RIMA) with selectivity for the MAO type A isoenzyme. Thirty-two patients who met DSM-3R criteria for major depressive episode or dysthymia were randomly assigned to receive either moclobemide or imipramine in a double-blind prospective study. The results indicated no difference in antidepressive efficacy between the two drugs, but imipramine had more anticholinergic side-effects. Neither drug had significant effects on pulse rate, blood pressure, weight changes or blood chemistry. These results were confirmed by previous studies.