[Optimization of treatment of depression with administration of ethylmethylhydroxypyridine succinate (Mexicor)].

Objective: To investigate the therapeutic efficacy and tolerability of Mexicor as an adjuvant in the treatment of depression with SSRI antidepressants.

Material and methods: The study included 100 patients, aged 18-50 years, with verified depression of mild (n=32) or moderate (n=68) severity. Patients (n=50) of the main group, along with basic antidepressant therapy with SSRIs, received Mexicor at a dose of 600 mg/day, in the comparison group (n=50) - only SSRIs. Clinical-psychopathological, psychometric, using the HDRS-21 scale, CGI, HADS, fluency test of speech responses and the Stroop test, statistical research methods were used.

Results: The reduction of depressive symptoms on the HDRS-21 scale, starting from the fourth week, was statistically significantly superior to that in the comparison group (p<0.001), the reduction in the severity of the condition on the CGI scale in the main group was also significantly greater than in the comparison group (17.3% and 9.6% respectively, p<0.05). A significant improvement in speech fluency was found in the main group (p<0.05). Adverse events in the main group were significantly less common (p<0.001).

Conclusion: Administration of Mexicor together with SSRIs leads to improved efficacy and tolerability of antidepressant therapy, and in the future, Mexicor may be recommended as an adjuvant in SSRI therapy for depression.