Combination of a sedative and a neurotransmitter modulator, and methods for treating depression

Abstract

One aspect of the present invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions containing two or more active agents that when taken together can be used to treat, e.g., insomnia and/or depression. The first component of the pharmaceutical composition is a GABA receptor modulating compound. The second component of the pharmaceutical composition is a serotonin reuptake inhibitor, a norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor, a 5-HT 2A modulator, or dopamine reuptake inhibitor. In certain embodiments, the pharmaceutical composition comprises eszopiclone. In a preferred embodiment, the pharmaceutical composition comprises eszopiclone and fluoxetine. The present invention also relates to a method of treating a sleep abnormality, treating insomnia, treating depression, augmenting antidepressant therapy, eliciting a dose-sparing effect, reducing depression relapse, improving the efficacy of antidepressant therapy or improving the tolerability of antidepressant therapy, comprising co-administering to a patient in need thereof a GABA-receptor-modulating compound; and a SRI, NRI, 5-HT 2A modulator or DRI.

1 .- 36 . (canceled) 
     
     
         37 . An improved method of antidepressant therapy utilizing a serotonin reuptake inhibitor, the improvement comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of eszopiclone, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, thereby accomplishing one or more outcomes selected from the group consisting of augmenting antidepressant response, eliciting a dose sparing effect, reducing depression relapse, improving efficacy of the antidepressant therapy, and improving tolerability of the antidepressant therapy. 
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein the outcome comprises augmenting antidepressant response. 
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein the outcome comprises eliciting a dose sparing effect. 
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein the outcome comprises reducing depression relapse. 
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein the outcome comprises improving efficacy of the antidepressant therapy. 
     
     
         42 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein the outcome comprises improving tolerability of the antidepressant therapy. 
     
     
         43 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein the serotonin reuptake inhibitor is norsertraline.