Augmentation of Fluoxetine With Lovastatin for Treating Major Depressive Disorder, a Randomized Double-Blind Placebo Controlled-Clinical Trial

BACKGROUNDS: There are contradictory evidence about the effect of statins on depression. This 6-week-randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial assessed the efficacy and safety of lovastatin as an adjuvant agent for treating major depressive disorder (MDD). METHODS: The participants were 68 patients with MDD according to DSM-IV diagnostic criteria. The sample was randomly allocated into fluoxetine (up to 40 mg/day) plus lovastatin (30 mg/day) group or fluoxetine plus placebo group. Hamilton Depression Rating scale was used to measure depression score at baseline, week 2, and week 6. RESULTS: Both groups showed a significant decrease of depression score on the Hamilton Depression scale. However, the treatment group decreased depression score more than placebo group [12.8(6.3) vs. 8.2(4.0), t = 3.4, df = 60, P < .001]. Any serious adverse effect was not found. DISCUSSION: These results suggest that lovastatin as an adjuvant treatment may be effective for treating patients with MDD.