Comparative double‐blind trial of mianserin hydrochloride (Organon GB94) and diazepam in patients with depressive illness.

Abstract

1. The antidepressant action of mianserin was tested in a double‐blind clinical trial lasting 6 weeks. Forty‐six patients with moderate to severe degrees of depression were treated at random with mianserin or diazepam. Patients who failed to improve by week 3 were taken out of the trial. 2. Mianserin was more effective than diazepam in reducing scores on the Hamilton Rating Scale for depression. Fewer patients allocated to mianserin had to be withdrawn from the trial on account of failure to improve. Mianserin was more effective than diazepam in reducing symptoms of 'retarded depression' and as effective as diazepam in reducing symptoms of 'anxious depression'. 3. Mianserin did not cause any more side‐effects than diazepam, very few side‐effects being encountered with either drug. 4. The design of this trial on antidepressant drugs is commended on ethical grounds.