Preliminary experience with moclobemide for the treatment of depressive disorders in Malaysia

The objective of this study was to describe preliminary experience with moclobemide in the treatment of depressive disorders in the University outpatient clinic in Malaysia. Twenty patients who satisfied DSM III R criteria for depressive disorders and scored more than 16 on the Hamilton Rating Depression Score at the initial interview were recruited into this open study. The primary diagnosis of 4 patients was later ascertained to be panic disorder(2), schizophrenia(1) and social phobia(1). Patients rated themselves as improved by first follow up (7-14 days), and rated their depression as very mild to mild by the third follow up visit (ie at a mean of 46 days). Side effects were minimal and compliance good.

Study site: outpatient psychiatric clinic at the General Hospital, Kuala
Lumpur.