Psychiatric Bulletin (2004) 28: 438-440. doi: 10.1192/pb.28.12.438
© 2004 The Royal College of Psychiatrists
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Psychiatric Bulletin (2004) 28: 438-440
© 2004 The Royal College of Psychiatrists

Drug information quarterly

Pramipexole in unipolar and bipolar depression

*Eromona Whiskey

Principal Pharmacist, Maudsley Hospital, Denmark Hill, London SE5 8AZ.

David Taylor

Chief Pharmacist, Maudsley Hospital, Denmark Hill, London, E-mail: Eromona.Whiskey{at}slam.nhs.uk

AIMS AND METHOD

To review the evidence for this use of pramipexole in the treatment of unipolar and bipolar depression, a literature search on Embase and Medline was conducted in December 2003. The search was updated in July 2004. The reference sections of retrieved papers were searched for further relevant references.

RESULTS

There are limited data on the clinical use of pramipexole in affective disorders. Only two double-blind trials in bipolar depression and one in unipolar depression were retrieved. Most information is in the form of case reports and open studies. No dose-response relationships have been established and a wide range of doses has been employed in the reports.

CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS

In view of the fact that the evidence for the use of pramipexole is still limited at the time of writing, its routine clinical use cannot be recommended. The data appear promising, but further research is required to determine its role in affective disorders.