Tehran University of Medical Sciences

Science Communicator Platform

Stay connected! Follow us on X network (Twitter):
Share By
Efficacy and Safety of Pentoxifylline Combination Therapy in Major Depressive Disorder: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial Publisher Pubmed



Farajollahimoghadam M1 ; Sanjarimoghaddam H1 ; Ghazizadeh Hasemi M2 ; Sanatian Z1 ; Talaei A3 ; Akhondzadeh S1
Authors

Source: International Clinical Psychopharmacology Published:2021


Abstract

In this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial, we assessed the efficacy and safety of pentoxifylline combination therapy with sertraline in treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD). A total of 56 patients with MDD were assigned into two parallel groups to receive sertraline (100 mg/day) plus placebo or sertraline (100 mg/day) plus pentoxifylline (400 mg three times daily) for six weeks. Patients were evaluated with the Hamilton rating scale for depression (HAM-D) at baseline and weeks 2, 4 and 6. The sertraline plus pentoxifylline group demonstrated greater improvement in HAM-D scores from baseline to all three study time points (P = 0.013, 0.007 and 0.016 for week 2, 4 and 6, respectively). Response to treatment rate was also significantly higher in the sertraline plus pentoxifylline group compared to the sertraline plus placebo group at week 4 [57.1 vs. 21.4%, P = 0.013] and the study endpoint [96.4 vs. 57.1%, P = 0.001]. However, the remission rate, time to remission and time to treatment response did not show any significant difference between trial groups. Our findings support the efficacy and safety of pentoxifylline combination therapy in patients with MDD. Copyright © 2020 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.
Related Docs
View other Related Docs
1. Cilostazol As an Adjunctive Treatment in Major Depressive Disorder: A Pilot Randomized, Double-Blind, and Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial, Psychopharmacology (2022)
2. Palmitoylethanolamide As Adjunctive Therapy in Major Depressive Disorder: A Double-Blind, Randomized and Placebo-Controlled Trial, Journal of Affective Disorders (2018)
3. Comparison of Vortioxetine and Sertraline for Treatment of Major Depressive Disorder in Elderly Patients: A Double-Blind Randomized Trial, Journal of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics (2020)
Experts (# of related papers)
View all Related Experts
Shahin Akhondzadeh Basti (20)
Mohammad Arbabi (4)
Other Related Docs
4. Pentoxifylline for Treatment of Major Depression After Percutaneous Coronary Intervention or Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial, Journal of Psychosomatic Research (2021)
5. Evidence for Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Adalimumab in Treatment of Patients With Major Depressive Disorder: A Pilot, Randomized, Controlled Trial, Clinical Neuropharmacology (2022)
6. Efficacy and Safety of Tipepidine As Adjunctive Therapy in Major Depressive Disorder: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial, Psychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences (2021)
7. Pentoxifylline Adjunct to Risperidone for Negative Symptoms of Stable Schizophrenia: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial, International Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology (2025)
8. Does Oral Administration of Ketamine Accelerate Response to Treatment in Major Depressive Disorder? Results of a Double-Blind Controlled Trial, Journal of Affective Disorders (2018)
9. Efficacy of Gemfibrozil As an Adjunct to Sertraline in Major Depressive Disorder, a Double-Blind, Randomized, and Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial, Iranian Journal of Psychiatry (2021)
10. Efficacy and Safety of Adjunctive Therapy With Lumateperone in Major Depressive Disorder: A Randomized-, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial, International Clinical Psychopharmacology (2025)
11. Therapeutic Effects of Minocycline on Mild-To-Moderate Depression in Hiv Patients: A Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Randomized Trial, International Clinical Psychopharmacology (2016)
12. Citicoline Combination Therapy for Major Depressive Disorder: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial, Clinical Neuropharmacology (2017)
13. Effect of Memantine Combination Therapy on Symptoms in Patients With Moderate-To-Severe Depressive Disorder: Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study, Journal of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics (2017)
14. Pioglitazone Adjunctive Therapy for Depressive Episode of Bipolar Disorder: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial, Depression and Anxiety (2015)
15. Cinnamomum Tamala As an Adjuvant Therapy in the Treatment of Major Depressive Disorder: A Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial With Placebo Control, Advances in Integrative Medicine (2020)
16. Efficacy and Safety of Sulforaphane for Treatment of Mild to Moderate Depression in Patients With History of Cardiac Interventions: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial, Psychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences (2021)
17. L-Carnosine Combination Therapy for Major Depressive Disorder: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial, Journal of Affective Disorders (2020)
18. Duloxetine Add-On to Risperidone for Treatment of Negative Symptoms in Patients With Stable Schizophrenia: Randomized Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Study, Pharmacopsychiatry (2016)
19. Efficacy and Safety of Celecoxib Monotherapy for Mild to Moderate Depression in Patients With Colorectal Cancer: A Randomized Double-Blind, Placebo Controlled Trial, Psychiatry Research (2017)
20. L-Carnosine As an Add-On to Risperidone for Treatment of Negative Symptoms in Patients With Stable Schizophrenia: A Double-Blind, Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial, Psychiatry Research (2018)