Nefazodone in Psychotic Unipolar and Bipolar Depression: A Retrospective Chart Analysis and Open Prospective Study on Its Efficacy and Safety versus Combined Treatment with Amitriptyline and Haloperidol

Abstract

Although atypical antipsychotics are on the rise, traditional treatment of psychotic (or delusional) depression mostly includes the addition of classical antipsychotics to antidepressants. As there are only few data supporting this approach compared with antidepressant monotherapy, and almost no data comparing it with antidepressants of the latest generation, we conducted a retrospective chart analysis and a prospective, randomized open study on the efficacy and tolerability of nefazodone monotherapy versus combined treatment with amitriptyline and haloperidol in psychotic depression. The results suggest that the addition of classical antipsychotics should be reserved for those with very severe psychotic symptoms, but may not be needed in milder forms.

Treatment outcomes of acute bipolar depressive episode with psychosis

“…This aligns with the main outcomes of the CHOICE study, which showed similar effectiveness of lithium and quetiapine for BD in general (Nierenberg et al, 2016). Schärer, Born, & Walden, 2002). However, the generalizability of our results must be considered with caution, given that we assessed only outpatients.…”

“…Quetiapine + APT (n = 21) Lithium + ATP (n = 11) p Quetiapine + APT (n = 18) Lithium + ATP (n = 10) P Schärer, Born, & Walden, 2002). However, the generalizability of our results must be considered with caution, given that we assessed only outpatients.…”