Carbamazepine augmentation therapy in three patients with trazodone-resistant unipolar depression

Int Clin Psychopharmacol. 1996 Mar;11(1):55-7. doi: 10.1097/00004850-199603000-00008.

Abstract

In three patients with trazodone-resistant unipolar depression, carbamazepine 400 mg/day was co-administered for 4 weeks. They all showed favourable responses; two non-delusional patients completely or almost recovered, while one delusional patient showed considerable improvement in depressive symptoms other than delusions of guilt. Plasma concentrations of trazodone and its active metabolite m-chlorophenylpiperazine (m-CPP) were decreased, while the m-CPP/trazodone ratio was increased in all cases. The present report suggests that carbamazepine augments antidepressant effects of trazodone by an enhancement of serotonin function.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Anticonvulsants / therapeutic use*
  • Carbamazepine / therapeutic use*
  • Depressive Disorder / drug therapy*
  • Drug Resistance
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / adverse effects*
  • Trazodone / adverse effects*

Substances

  • Anticonvulsants
  • Serotonin Uptake Inhibitors
  • Carbamazepine
  • Trazodone