Shortened onset of action of antidepressants in major depression using acetylsalicylic acid augmentation: a pilot open-label study
Abstract
Based on our preclinical data showing a potential accelerating effect of acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) in combination with fluoxetine in an animal model of depression, we examined the effect of ASA augmentation therapy on selective reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) in major depressed non-responder patients. Twenty-four non-responder patients having received at least 4 weeks of an adequate SSRI treatment were included in a pilot open-label study. Participants were treated openly during 4 weeks with 160 mg/day ASA in addition to their current antidepressant treatment. The combination SSRI-ASA was associated with a response rate of 52.4%. Remission was achieved in 43% of the total sample and 82% of the responder sample. In the responder group, a significant improvement was observed within week 1 (mean Hamilton Depression Rating Scale-21 items at day 0=29.3+/-4.5, at day 7=14.0+/-4.1; P<0.0001) and remained sustained until day 28. Despite limitations due to the open nature of this study, our preliminary results confirm our preclinical findings and are in favour of an accelerating effect of ASA in combination with SSRIs in the treatment of major depression. Potential physiological and biochemical mechanisms may involve an anti-inflammatory and/or neurotrophic effect.
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In that open-label study, responders to combined SSRI-acetylsalicylic acid treatment had HRSD scores decrease from 29.3 at Day 0 to 8.4 at Day 28, a reduction of 20.9 HRSD points.
“patients who were considered responders to the combined SSRI-acetylsalicylic acid treatment saw their HRSD scores decrease from 29.3 at Day 0 to 8.4 at Day 28 of the study, which was a reduction of 20.9 HRSD points”
From From stress to inflammation and major depressive disorder: A social signal transduction theory of depression. (2014) · cites this paper as Mendlewicz et al., 2006
In an open-label study of treatment-resistant depression, 52.4% of depressed individuals treated with acetylsalicylic acid in addition to an SSRI were considered responders after not responding to a first SSRI treatment.
“52.4% of depressed individuals who were treated with acetylsalicylic acid (i.e., aspirin) in addition to receiving a selective reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) were considered responders after having not responded to a first SSRI treatment.”
From From stress to inflammation and major depressive disorder: A social signal transduction theory of depression. (2014) · cites this paper as Mendlewicz et al., 2006
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- Authors
- Mendlewicz, J., Kriwin, P., Oswald, P., Souery, D., Alboni, S., & Brunello, N.
- Affiliations
- Université Libre de Bruxelles (BE)
- University of Modena and Reggio Emilia (IT)
- Corresponding author
- Mendlewicz, Julien
- Venue
- International Clinical Psychopharmacology
- Published
- 2006-07
- Volume
- 21
- Issue
- 4
- Pages
- 227-231
- ISSN
- 0268-1315 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2029123366
- Cited by
- 229
- References
- 6
- Citations by year
- 2026: 3 · 2025: 2 · 2024: 4 · 2023: 6 · 2022: 9 · 2021: 8 · 2020: 16 · 2019: 13 · 2018: 21 · 2017: 17 · 2016: 11 · 2015: 16 · 2014: 21 · 2013: 23 · 2012: 14
- FWCI
- 2.93
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- International Clinical Psychopharmacology (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Dépôt institutionnel de l'Université libre de Bruxelles (Université Libre de Bruxelles) (submittedVersion)
- IRIS UNIMORE (University of Modena and Reggio Emilia) (submittedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Pharmacology › Treatment of Major Depression
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Biological Psychiatry › Tryptophan and brain disorders
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience › Neurotransmitter Receptor Influence on Behavior
- Keywords
- aspirin, antidepressant augmentation, major depressive disorder, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, fluoxetine, treatment-resistant depression, onset of action, anti-inflammatory activity, neurotrophic effects, remission
- MeSH terms
- Adult, Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Antidepressive Agents, Aspirin, Depressive Disorder, Major, Major Depressive Disorder, Drug Resistance, Drug Therapy, Combination, Female, Humans, Male, Middle Aged
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