There were some beneficial effects compared to placebo or antidepressants but tolerability was worse .
Quetiapine was more effective than placebo treatment .
Aripiprazole and quetiapine and partly also olanzapine and risperidone augmentation showed beneficial effects compared to placebo .
Some evidence indicated beneficial effects of low-dose amisulpride for dysthymic people .
Most SGAs showed worse tolerability
BACKGROUND Major depressive disorder ( MDD ) is a common condition with a lifetime prevalence of 15 % to 18 % , which leads to considerable suffering and disability .
Some antipsychotics have been reported to induce remission in major depression , when added to an antidepressant .
OBJECTIVES To evaluate the effects of second-generation antipsychotic ( SGA ) drugs ( alone or augmentation ) compared with placebo or antidepressants for people with MDD or dysthymia .
Faster response on amisulpride 50 mg versus sertraline 50-100 mg in patients with dysthymia or double depression: a randomized, double-blind, parallel group study
Amisulpride ( 50 mg o.d . ) was compared with sertraline ( 50 - 100 mg o.d . ) for 12 weeks in a double-blind , parallel-group study in 313 out patients with dysthymia ( DSM-IV ± episode of major depression ) . Full response rate [ ≥ 50 % decrease in Hamilton Depression Rating Scale ( HAMD ) total score ] was higher with amisulpride after 4 weeks ( 63 % versus 50 % , P < 0.02 ) and 8 weeks ( 82 % versus 69 % , P < 0.009 ) . Time to initial improvement ( ≥ 25 % decrease in HAMD total score ) and to ≥ 50 % HAMD decrease were significantly shorter with amisulpride ( P < 0.0033 and P < 0.0080 , respectively ) . A faster response was also present in the subgroup of patients with pure dysthymia . The improvement in HAMD , Montgomery and Asberg Depression Rating Scale and Social and Occupational Assessment Scale total scores , as well as Clinical Global Impression improvement , was significantly greater with amisulpride after 4 weeks . Both drugs were equally effective at week 12 . The tolerability of both drugs was satisfactory . Amisulpride is significantly more effective than sertraline during the first weeks of treatment in dysthymia
There were some beneficial effects compared to placebo or antidepressants but tolerability was worse .
Quetiapine was more effective than placebo treatment .
Aripiprazole and quetiapine and partly also olanzapine and risperidone augmentation showed beneficial effects compared to placebo .
Some evidence indicated beneficial effects of low-dose amisulpride for dysthymic people .
Most SGAs showed worse tolerability
BACKGROUND Major depressive disorder ( MDD ) is a common condition with a lifetime prevalence of 15 % to 18 % , which leads to considerable suffering and disability .
Some antipsychotics have been reported to induce remission in major depression , when added to an antidepressant .
OBJECTIVES To evaluate the effects of second-generation antipsychotic ( SGA ) drugs ( alone or augmentation ) compared with placebo or antidepressants for people with MDD or dysthymia .