Fluoxetine in Depressed Alcoholics: a Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial

51 patients diagnosed as having comorbid major depressive disorder & alcohol dependence were randomly assigned to receive fluoxetine or placebo in a 12-week, double-blind, parallel-group trial. The sample showed high levels of current & past suicidal behaviours, & current suicidal ideation on admission to hospital. The improvement in depressive symptoms was significantly greater in the fluoxetine group who also had total lower alcohol consumption. No patients attempted suicide during the study.