Preventing the Return of Depression in Elderly Patients
Status:
Completed
Trial end date:
2000-04-01
Target enrollment:
Participant gender:
Summary
The purpose of this study is to compare the effectiveness of two doses of nortriptyline in
elderly patients whose depression returned after stopping treatment. Nortriptyline is an
antidepressant.
This study enrolls patients who were treated for depression in an earlier research study and
whose depression has returned since stopping treatment. Patients are treated for 4 months to
bring the depression under control. Patients are then assigned randomly (like tossing a coin)
to receive either the full dose of nortriptyline or half the usual dose of nortriptyline.
Patients continue taking nortriptyline for 2 years or until a major depression returns.
Throughout the study, patients are monitored for symptoms of depression and other side
effects.