The Medical journal of Australia
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Comparative Study Clinical Trial Controlled Clinical Trial
A controlled study of a tetracyclic antidepressant--maprotiline (Ludiomil).
Maprotiline (Ludiomil) is a dibenzo bicyclooctadiene pharmacologically related to the tricyclic antidepressants and stereochemically having a tetracyclic structure. A controlled, double-blind comparison of maprotiline and imipramine in a group of 71 female outpatients with primary depression is presented. Maprotiline was found to be at least as effective as imipramine and significantly better in depressive neurosis. It also showed a bipolar action, being effective in both agitation and retardation.
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Precise data on levels of prescribing of psychoactive and other drugs by general practitioners have recently become available in Australia (Rowe, 1973a, b; Bridges-Webb, 1972). However, there has been little or no research into possible determinants of prescribing behaviour, for example, age, social background, work load, the nature of the practice, education and colleague networks. ⋯ There would seem to be good reason to investigate these aspects in Australian practices. A pilot study carried out in Canberra in 1972 suggests that a short structured questionnaire administered in a face-to-face interview could provide the necessary data.