Antidepressant efficacy of sertraline: a double-blind, placebo- and amitriptyline-controlled, multicenter comparison study in outpatients with major depression.
A double-blind, placebo- and amitriptyline-controlled comparison study was performed to evaluate the antidepressant efficacy of sertraline, a specific serotonin uptake inhibitor. Patients with DSM-III-defined major depression randomly received either sertraline (N = 149), amitriptyline (N = 149), or placebo (N = 150) once daily for the 8-week study period. The mean final daily medication dose for the all-patients group was 145 mg and 104 mg for the sertraline- and amitriptyline-treatment groups, respectively. As measured by the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression and the Clinical Global Impressions Scale, both the sertraline and amitriptyline treatment groups showed a significantly greater improvement from baseline (p less than or equal to .001) than the placebo group. The sertraline group had a higher proportion of gastrointestinal complaints and male sexual dysfunction than either the amitriptyline or the placebo group. The amitriptyline group showed a higher proportion of anticholinergic and sedative side effects and dizziness compared with patients who received either sertraline or placebo.
Reimherr
F W
FW
Department of Psychiatry, University of Utah, Salt Lake City 84132.
Chouinard
G
G
Cohn
C K
CK
Cole
J O
JO
Itil
T M
TM
LaPierre
Y D
YD
Masco
H L
HL
Mendels
J
J
D015057:1-Naphthylamine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000553:Ambulatory Care; D000639:Amitriptyline / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D004244:Dizziness / Q000139:chemically induced; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005767:Gastrointestinal Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010919:Placebos; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012702:Serotonin Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D020280:Sertraline; D020018:Sexual Dysfunctions, Psychological / Q000139:chemically induced
D010919:Placebos; D012702:Serotonin Antagonists; D000639:Amitriptyline; D015057:1-Naphthylamine; D020280:Sertraline