Efficacy of Dextromethorphan-Bupropion Versus SSRIs in the Treatment of Major Depressive Disorder

Asad Ullah Jan

Status: Enrolling

Conditions: Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)

Treatments: Drug: SSRIs; Drug: Dextromethorphan-Bupropion

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT06957223

CMHNSR-REF-16

Details and patient eligibility

About

The study aims to compare the antidepressant effects of a dextromethorphan-bupropion combination versus standard SSRI therapy in adult patients with major depressive disorder. Participants will be randomized into two groups: one receiving dextromethorphan-bupropion and the other receiving an SSRI (e.g., sertraline or escitalopram). Treatment will last for 6 weeks, with assessments at baseline and study completion. The primary outcome will be the remission rate measured by a validated depression rating scale. Secondary outcomes include change in depressive symptoms severity and safety/tolerability measures.

Enrollment: 80 estimated patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18 to 60 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

Diagnosed with major depressive disorder (MDD) per DSM-5 criteria.

Baseline depression score indicating moderate to severe depression

Ability to provide informed consent

Willing to comply with study requirements

Exclusion criteria

History of bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, or other psychotic disorders

Current substance use disorder (within past 6 months)

Active suicidal ideation requiring urgent intervention

Pregnancy or breastfeeding

Known hypersensitivity to study medications

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Triple Blind

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80 participants in 2 patient groups

Dextromethorphan-Bupropion Group

Experimental group

Description:

Participants will receive a fixed-dose combination of dextromethorphan-bupropion, dosed according to approved guidelines for major depressive disorder, administered orally for 6 weeks.

Treatment:

Drug: Dextromethorphan-Bupropion

SSRI Group

Active Comparator group

Description:

Participants will receive an SSRI at standard therapeutic doses, administered orally for 6 weeks.

Treatment:

Drug: SSRIs