Monoamine oxidase inhibitors in resistant major depression. A double-blind comparison of brofaromine and tranylcypromine in patients resistant to tricyclic antidepressants.

In a double-blind study the selective monoamine oxidase-A inhibitor brofaromine was compared with the classical MAOI tranylcypromine in 39 patients with major depression resistant to treatment with tricyclic antidepressants. Concerning efficacy no significant differences were found. Ten out of 22 patients responded to brofaromine and 5 out of 17 patients to tranylcypromine. Adverse effects favoured brofaromine. Although orthostatic hypotension occurred in both groups, severe decrease in blood pressure and dizziness occurred significantly more with tranylcypromine. Both MAOIs caused a decrease in stage 4 and REM sleep and an increase in REM latency. In most patients receiving tranylcypromine REM sleep was completely abolished.