Open-Label Pilot Study to Examine the Value of Substituting Quetiapine for Benzodiazepines

Inclusion Criteria:

For inclusion in the study subjects must fulfil all of the following criteria:

1. Provision of written informed consent
2. A diagnosis of a current major depressive episode (n =20) or generalized anxiety disorder (n = 20) of at least 4 weeks duration, as defined by Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders- Fourth Edition (DSM-IV) and assessed on the SCID. Subjects may be included if they meet criteria for double depression, i.e., current major depression with antecedent dysthymic disorder, major depression in partial remission or bipolar depression. MDD subjects must have a 24 item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale Score (HAM-D) at intake >/= 20. GAD subjects must have a Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale Score (HAM-A) at intake >/= 20. Patients who meet criteria for current GAD only during a current episode of MDD will be considered to have MDD, according to DSM-IV convention.
3. Females and/or males aged 18-65 years
4. Female patients of childbearing potential must be using a reliable method of contraception and have a negative urine human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) test at enrolment
5. Able to understand and comply with the requirements of the study

6. All subjects must report BZ use more days than not persistent for more than 6 months and a stable regimen of mood stabilizers and/or antidepressant medication for at least 8 weeks.

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Exclusion Criteria:

• Any of the following is regarded as a criterion for exclusion from the study:

  1. Pregnancy or lactation
  2. Any DSM-IV Axis I disorder not defined in the inclusion criteria
  3. Axis II diagnosis of antisocial, schizotypal or severe borderline personality disorder(defined as patients who are high risk for being unable to complete the study due to hospitalization, suicide attempts, significant self-mutilation, or other self-injurious or destructive behavior).
  4. Patients who, in the opinion of the investigator, pose an imminent risk of suicide or a danger to self or others
  5. Known intolerance or lack of response to quetiapine fumarate as judged by the investigator
  6. Use of any of the following cytochrome P450 3A4 inhibitors in the 14 days preceding enrolment including but not limited to: ketoconazole, itraconazole, fluconazole, erythromycin, clarithromycin, troleandomycin, indinavir, nelfinavir, ritonavir, fluvoxamine and saquinavir
  7. Use of any of the following cytochrome P450 inducers in the 14 days preceding enrollment including but not limited to: phenytoin, carbamazepine, barbiturates, rifampin, St. John's Wort, and glucocorticoids
  8. Administration of a depot antipsychotic injection within one dosing interval (for the depot) before randomisation
  9. Substance or alcohol dependence at enrolment (except dependence in full remission, and except for caffeine or nicotine dependence), as defined by DSM-IV criteria
  10. Opiates, amphetamine, barbiturate, cocaine, cannabis, or hallucinogen abuse by DSM-IV criteria within 4 weeks prior to enrolment
  11. Medical conditions that would affect absorption, distribution, metabolism, or excretion of study treatment
  12. Unstable or inadequately treated medical illness (e.g. diabetes, angina pectoris, hypertension) as judged by the investigator
  13. Involvement in the planning and conduct of the study
  14. Previous enrolment or randomisation of treatment in the present study.
  15. Participation in another drug trial within 4 weeks prior enrolment into this study or longer in accordance with local requirements