Shortened onset of action of antidepressants in major depression using acetylsalicylic acid augmentation: a pilot open-label study

Abstract

Based on our preclinical data showing a potential accelerating effect of acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) in combination with fluoxetine in an animal model of depression, we examined the effect of ASA augmentation therapy on selective reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) in major depressed non-responder patients. Twenty-four non-responder patients having received at least 4 weeks of an adequate SSRI treatment were included in a pilot open-label study. Participants were treated openly during 4 weeks with 160 mg/day ASA in addition to their current antidepressant treatment. The combination SSRI-ASA was associated with a response rate of 52.4%. Remission was achieved in 43% of the total sample and 82% of the responder sample. In the responder group, a significant improvement was observed within week 1 (mean Hamilton Depression Rating Scale-21 items at day 0=29.3+/-4.5, at day 7=14.0+/-4.1; P<0.0001) and remained sustained until day 28. Despite limitations due to the open nature of this study, our preliminary results confirm our preclinical findings and are in favour of an accelerating effect of ASA in combination with SSRIs in the treatment of major depression. Potential physiological and biochemical mechanisms may involve an anti-inflammatory and/or neurotrophic effect.

Therapeutic Implications of Brain–Immune Interactions: Treatment in Translation

“…Of note, the Iranian group has also published positive data for celecoxib in OCD, acute bipolar mania, and depression in breast cancer, indicating an extraordinary efficacy that warrants further evaluation (Arabzadeh et al, 2015;Mohammadinejad et al, 2015;Shalbafan et al, 2015). Finally, there are some data to support that acetylsalicylic acid may augment the response to conventional antidepressant therapy, although this is a small literature that is in need of larger studies (Mendlewicz et al, 2006). Of note, a larger study has been completed with results pending (NCT01429272).…”

Depression gets old fast: do stress and depression accelerate cell aging?

“…[109,174,[207][208][209][210][211] It is possible that, by targeting such ''upstream'' mediators of the biochemical milieu, additional therapeutic leverage might be gained. Already, preliminary studies are testing many of these strategies, with preliminary signs of success.…”

Psychiatric Adverse Effects of Non-steroidal Analgesic Anti-inflammatory Drugs

“…Çalışma sonucunda, majör depresyon hastalarında SSRI ile ASA kombinasyonunun tedavi etkinliğini artırdığı görülmüştür. 36 Depresyon tanısı konmuş 70 hastanın yer aldığı bir çalışmada, fluoksetin ile aspirinin birlikte kullanımı, fluoksetin monoterapisine göre oksidatif stres parametrelerinin daha fazla azalmasını sağlamıştır. 37 Kesitsel türdeki bir çalışmada, depresyon tanısı almış yaş aralığı 69-87 yıl olan 3.687 erkek hastada aspirin, B vitamini ve antidepresan ilaçların kullanımı ile birlikte yaş, eğitim, yaşam biçimi, sigara öyküsü ve tıbbi komorbidite ile ilgili bilgiler değerlendirilmiştir.…”