The Tranylcypromine Isomers : A Controlled Clinical Trial
JAVIER I. ESCOBAR M.D.1,
BURTRUM C. SCHIELE M.D.2, , and
ROBERT ZIMMERMANN PH.D.3
1 Dr. Escobar s Assistant Professor, Department of Psychiatry, University of Minnesota at St. Paul-Ramsey Hospital and Medical Center, 640 Jackson St., St. Paul, Minn. 55101
2 Professor Emeritus of Psychiatry, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, Minn. and Consultant, Adult Psychiatry Unit, St. Paul-Ramsey Hospital and Medical Center
3 Research Associate, Research Unit, Department of Psychiatry, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, Minn.
The plus (+ ) and minus (–) isomers of tranylcypromine (Parnate) were tested under double-blind conditions on 11 depressed patients. The (—) isomer was the more effective and produced fewer side effects. Because the (–) isomer has been shown to be a stronger blocker of the reuptake mechanism for brain amines and a weaker inhibitor of monoamine oxidase than the (+) isomer, the results obtained here are of particular interest.
