Clinical Investigations into Antidepressive Mechanisms. I. Antihistaminic and Cholinolytic Effects: Amitriptyline Versus Promethazine

This study compared amitriptyline with promethazine in 50 depressed inpatients over a 30-day treatment period. Analysis of the Hamilton depression rating scale revealed significant clinical superiority of amitrptyline over promethazine in such major depressive symptoms as depressed mood, suicidal ideation, psychic anxiety, & sleep disturbances. Similar results were found by analysis of the AMP rating system. (36 ref.)