Combination of growth hormone secretagogues and antidepressants

This invention is directed to combinations comprising a growth hormone secretagogue, a prodrug thereof or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of said growth hormone secretagogue or said prodrug and an antidepressant, a prodrug thereof or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of said antidepressant or said prodrug and to pharmaceutical compositions and kits comprising such combinations. Antidepressants within the scope of this invention include norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (e.g., secondary and tertiary amine tricyclics), selective sertraline reuptake inhibitors, agents which are combined norepinephrine/sertraline reuptake inhibitors, monoamine oxidase inhibitors and atypical antidepressants. This invention is also directed to methods of improving the physical and/or psychological condition of a patient undergoing a medical procedure, to methods of treating musculoskeletal frailty, to methods of treating congestive heart failure and to methods of attenuating protein catabolic response after a major operation comprising administering such a combination. In particular, this invention relates to such compositions and kits that improve the cardiac function, metabolism, muscle tone and/or mental state of patients undergoing a medical procedure. The compositions and kits of this invention are also useful in treating central nervous system disorders of patients undergoing a medical procedure.