Key result
Existing clinical trials present conflicting evidence on whether desipramine is faster acting or more effective than imipramine for the management of depression.
Why the study?
Is desipramine faster acting or more effective than imipramine in the management of depression?
Is desipramine faster acting or more effective than imipramine in the management of depression?
The literature presents conflicting evidence on whether desipramine offers a faster onset of action or greater efficacy compared to imipramine for depression.
Conflicting trial data advise against assuming desipramine superiority; leaves open need for rigorous head-to-head RCTs.
Desipramine (Pertofran) is a metabolite of imipramine (Tofranil) originally isolated by Herrmann, Schindler and Pulver (1959) and found to be identical with the synthetic compound G.35025. Animal experiments (Gillette et al., 1961) suggest a more rapid action for desipramine, and the majority of clinical trials to date confirm this impression for humans (e.g. Kline et al., 1962; Krakowski, 1963). Some controlled trials, however, (Azima et al., 1962; Hollister et al., 1963) fail to establish that desipramine is either faster acting or more effective than imipramine.
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Waldron et al. (1965) conducted a review in Depression. Desipramine vs. Imipramine was evaluated. Existing clinical trials present conflicting evidence on whether desipramine is faster acting or more effective than imipramine for the management of depression.
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