Combination therapy for treatment of refractory depression

• US 20030212060A1
• Filed: 05/10/2002
• Published: 11/13/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 05/22/1998
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Gary Dennis Tollefson
• Original Assignee: Gary Dennis Tollefson
• Inventors: Tollefson, Gary Dennis
• Granted Patent: US 6,960,577 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 514/220
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 2300/00 Mixtures or combinations of active ingredients, wherein at least one active ingredient is fully defined in groups A61K31/00 - A61K41/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 31/137 Arylalkylamines, e.g. amphetamine, epinephrine, salbutamol, ephedrine or methadone
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 31/445 Non condensed piperidines, e.g. piperocaine
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 31/519 ortho- or peri-condensed with heterocyclic rings
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 31/551 having two nitrogen atoms, e.g. dilazep
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 31/5513 1,4-Benzodiazepines, e.g. diazepam or clozapine

Abstract

The invention provides methods and ocmpositions for the treatment of depressive states refractory to treatment with traditional anti-depressive therapies alone. These methods and compositions employ a compound having activity as an atypical antipsychotic and a serotonin reuptake inhibitor. This invention also provides methods of providing rapid onset treatments of major depression which employing a compound having activity as an atypical antipsychotic and a serotonin reuptake inhibitor.

Claims

1. A method for treating a patient suffering from or susceptible to treatment resistant major depression, comprising administering to said patient an effective amount of a first component which is an atypical antipsychotic, in combination with an effective amount of a second component which is a serotonin reuptake inhibitor.

4. A method of any one of claims 1 to 3 where the first component is chosen from the group consisting of olanzapine, clozapine, risperidone, sertindole, quetiapine, and ziprasidone;

and the second component is selected from the group consisting of fluoxetine, venlafaxine, citalopram, fluvoxamine, paroxetine, sertraline, milnacipran and duloxetine.

5. A method of any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the first component compound is olanzapine.

6. A method of claim 4 wherein the second component compound is fluoxetine.

7. A method of any one of claims 1 to 3 where administration of the compounds is oral.

9. A method of any one of claims 1, 2, 3, 5 or 6 wherein the ratio of olanzapine to fluoxetine by weight is selected from the group consisting of 1/5, 6/25, 12.5/25, 25/50, 17.5/50 and 25/75.

2. A method for treating a patient partially responding to treatment of major depression comprising administering to said patient an effective amount of a first component which is an atypical antipsychotic, in combination with an effective amount of a second component which is a serotonin reuptake inhibitor.

3. A method for attenuating the adverse events associated with treating a patient suffering from or susceptible to treatment resistant major depression, or partially responding to treatment of major depression, comprising administering to said patient an effective amount of a first component which is an atypical antipsychotic, in combination with an effective amount of a second component which is a serotonin reuptake inhibitor.

8. A method of claim 3 where the adverse event is selected from the group consisting of weight changes, sexual dysfunction, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, insomnia, headache and activation.

10. The use of an effective amount of a first component which is an atypical antipsychotic, in combination with an effective amount of a second component which is a serotonin reuptake inhibitor, for the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment of treatment resistant major depression.

11. The use of an effective amount of a first component which is an atypical antipsychotic, in combination with an effective amount of a second component which is a serotonin reuptake inhibitor, for the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment of partial response to treatment of major depression.

12. The use of an effective amount of a first component which is an atypical antipsychotic, in combination with an effective amount of a second component which is a serotonin reuptake inhibitor, for the manufacture of a medicament for attenuating the adverse events associated with treatment of major depression, treatment resistant major depression or partial response to treatment of major depression.

13. A pharmaceutical composition adapted for the treatment of a patient suffering from or susceptible to treatment resistant major depression or partially responding to treatment for major depression, or attenuating the adverse effects associated with treatment of major depression, treatment resistant major depression or partial response to treatment of major depression, comprising as the active ingredients a combination of an atypical antipsychotic and a serotonin reuptake inhibitor.