Relevance of current investigation is conditioned by the high prevalence of depression in population and tendency of increased rate of relapses.

To study efficacy of selective serotonin-noradrenalin reuptake inhibitor–milnacipran in treatment of depressive disorders.

There were investigated 22 patients. Patient's state was defined as depressive episode (F32.1) and recurrent depressive disorder (F33.1). Mean age–33 years, duration of disease–from 2 weeks to 18 years, duration of current depressive episode–5.3 months. Mean point according to HAM-D scale before treatment was 24.0. Patients were investigated in dynamics of antidepressant therapy (milnacipran–50–150 mg/daily) for 4–5 weeks.

Efficacy of treatment with milnacipran was 82% (18 responders, 4 nonresponders). In responder's group decrease of depressive symptoms was started after 1 week of treatment and practical reduction of all these symptoms was observed after 4–5 weeks of therapy (points of HAM-D scale–0.81). Patients of this group receive milnacipran as supportive therapy at least for 3 months after signing out of clinic. During 1 year after signing out of clinic, there were no signs of aggravation of patient's state. 2 patients independently discontinue to take the medicine; there were aggravation of state and they were hospitalized in psychiatric clinic.

Milnacipran is effective in treatment of depressive disorders, ensured effective reduction of depressive symptoms. Its therapeutic effect is realized rather quickly. Milnacipran can be recommended as antidepressant of choice for prophylaxis of depressive disorders.

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.