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Drug Therapy to Treat Minor Depression
This study is currently recruiting patients.
Sponsored by: | National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) |
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Information provided by: | National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) |
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to assess the effectiveness and safety of St. John's Wort and citalopram (Celexa), each compared to a placebo, for the treatment of minor depression.
Condition | Treatment or Intervention |
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Depression |
Drug: Citalopram Drug: St. John's Wort |
MedlinePlus related topics: Depression
Study Type: Interventional
Study Design: Treatment, Randomized, Double-Blind, Active Control, Crossover Assignment, Safety/Efficacy Study
Official Title: Pharmacotherapy for Minor Depression
Expected Total Enrollment: 300
Study start: February 2003
Minor depression is highly prevalent, causes substantial morbidity and disability, presents a serious risk factor for the development of major depressive disorder, yet is under recognized and under treated. Researchers have determined that patients with minor depression frequently seek treatment from general practitioners and are often treated with prescription antidepressants. There is a need to evaluate the effectiveness of St. John's Wort in the management of minor depression. If the proposed study demonstrates the efficacy of St. John's Wort and/or citalopram, it will suggest treatment paradigms that can be tested and applied in primary care settings.
Patients who meet screening criteria enter a 2-week washout period (or, for fluoxetine, a 4-week washout period) during which no psychotropic medication is permitted. Participants are then randomly assigned to St. John's Wort, citalopram, or placebo for 12 weeks. Participants who respond to treatment by Week 12 continue to take their originally assigned double-blind medication for up to 26 weeks. At Week 12, nonresponders to placebo are crossed over to 1 of the 2 active treatments. Patients who remain nonresponders to that active treatment are crossed over to the alternative active treatment, with the investigator maintaining blind status. Participants have study visits at screening, during the washout period, at baseline, and every 2 weeks thereafter for the course of the study. At the screening visit, Week 12, and Week 20, patients undergo a complete blood count with differential and other routine laboratory tests.
Eligibility
Ages Eligible for Study: 18 Years - 85 Years, Genders Eligible for Study: Both
Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
Exclusion Criteria:
Location and Contact Information
More Information
Click here to view the "Treatment for Minor Depression" NIH news release.
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