Rubidium Chloride Shows Promise in Depressed Women Inpatients An open trial was conducted to evaluate the antidepressant efficacy of the little-researched drug

rubidium chloride. 31 women inpatients meeting DSM-111 criteria for recurrent or single episode major depression (12 and 6, respectively) dysthymic disorder (5), cyclothymic disorder (3) or atypical bipolar disorder (4) received rubidium chloride 180-720 mgjday for 3 weeks after approximately a 1-week washout with mean daily doses of 370mg, 407mg and 390mg during weeks 1, 2 and 3, respectively. Lorazepam was also given if indicated for activated or disinhibited behaviour.

16 patients completed the trial and reasons for withdrawal were adverse effects (2), inefficacy (7), mania (1) and significant improvement of depression (5). Severity of illness was decreased significantly by treatment, with maximum improvement during week 2. The Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale total score and scores for all items except for thought disturbance were improved significantly post-treatment (p < O.D1 vs baseline). Similarly, all items of the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, except for sleep disturbance, and the somatic and psychic anxiety factors of the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale were significantly improved post-treatment (p < O.D1 vs baseline). Of the 31 items in the self-administered depression scale, 26 were significantly improved by treatment (p < 0.05 or beyond). It appeared that high scores of anhedonia, social withdrawal, decreased libido, anorexia, gastrointestinal symptoms and suicidal ideation were predictors of good treatment response and high scores of depressed mood, constipation, and depersonalisation-derealisation were predictive of poor response to rubidium chloride. Plasma levels of rubidium ranged from 0.15 to 0.37 mEq/L and were not correlated with clinical outcome. Numerous mild adverse effects were noted but those necessitating dose adjustment were diarrhoea (7), polyuria (2), confusional state (4), excitement (4) weig~t. gain (8) _and nauseajvomi:in_g (2).

The authors concluded that ' ... 70% of depressed patients on rub1d1um chlortde showed a statiStically significant improvement ... ' in depressive symptoms, but ' .. :more extensive clinical laboratory data over longer time periods are necessary' to establish the clinical efficacy of rubidium chlonde. Piacldi G. Lenzo A. Lazzerino F. Dell'osso L, Cassano GB, et ai Exploration of the chn1cal prof1ie of rub1dium chlonde on depress1on Journal of Clon1cal Psychopharmacology 8: 184-188. Jun 1988 ""

14 INPHARMA"' 5 Nov 1988 0156-2703/88/1105-0014/0$01.00/0 © ADIS Press