ORPHENADRINE IN THE TREATMENT OF DEPRESSION : A Preliminary Study

In this preliminary study, 14 psychiatric patients with depressive features were treated with orphenadrine to determine if the euphoric action, previously reported as a side-reaction in nonpsychiatric patients, occurs and is beneficial in depression. Two of the patients were rated as recovered; 9 showed beneficial effects including improved behavior, more optimism concerning the future, decreased anxiety and agitation. Further dies with adequate controls and a double blind technique are warranted to determine if orphenadrine can prove useful in the treatment of depressed psychiatric patients.