| Note |
Anafranil is the most recent addition to the Geigy range of psychotropic drugs. In addition to its use in depression, where it has proved to be effective both by the oral route and by intravenous infusion (in the more seriously depressed patient), Anafranil is becoming established as a leading drug treatment for obsessional and phobic disorders. Anafranil in obsessional/phobic disorders. "It appears therefore that clomipramine has a direct anti-obsessional effect." "It is our view that clomipramine not only gives good results in severe and moderate depressive states but it is emerging as the treatment of choice in obsessive-compulsive disorders and phobic states." "So far 24 patients have been treated…six patients responded not at all or only in a very slight degree…the other 18 patients have done very well indeed, 12 of them having experienced complete remission of symptoms and 6 a very considerable relief. Four were presenting with clear-cut obsessional illnesses with complusive behaviour, and the rest were suffering from phobic anxiety states some with obsessional symptoms, all of which were severely limiting their lives." "In summary, the findings in this series are in agreement with earlier reports that the intravenous administration of clomipramine provided an effective method of treatment for obsessive/compulsive disorders. The former intractability of these disroders makes this an important development in psychiatric treatment." Anafranil in depression. "The most striking finding however, was the number of patients who showed spectacular improvement and who had been ill for considerable periods of time. By and large this group were of a chronic grumbling type who sought much and constant medical attention and yet did not reward the doctor by getting better." "…81% of patients showed very good or good response to treatment. This compares very favourably with the responses of similar groups of severely depressed patient to E.C.T. and indicates that intravenous infusions of clomipramine can be offered as an alternative form of treatment." "…in the case of the 143 patients receiving oral therapy 77.5% showed a very good or good response to treatment and including moderate cases, this rises to 96.5%. |
