This study on the safety and efficacy of modafinil on atypical depression has an initial 12-week open label treatment period with modafinil that is followed by a 12-week double-blind, randomized parallel treatment period with either modafinil or matching placebo. Patients who demonstrate at least minimal improvement after 12 weeks are randomly assigned to either continuing treatment at their current dose or switched to matching placebo for 12 weeks.
The purposes of the study are to: 1) evaluate the short-term efficacy and safety of modafinil in atypical depression; and 2) to evaluate the efficacy of modafinil in preventing relapse of atypical depression. The hypothesis is that modafinil is safe and effective in the treatment of atypical depression.