In a 6-week open-label study, ten newly admitted depressed patients were treated with tomoxetine , a selective inhibitor of noradrenaline reuptake. After 7 days of drug washout, patients were given an initial dose of 40 mg/day which was gradually increased to a maximum of 70 mg/day (median 50 mg/day). There was a statistically (P less than 0.001) and clinically significant improvement in the mean symptomatology of the patients measured on the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale. The drug had an early onset of action, a specific effect on mood, and no sedative properties.