A controlled comparison of fluoxetine and amitriptyline in depressed out-patients.
Fluoxetine, a selective serotonin uptake inhibitor (mean dose 73 mg each morning) was compared with amitriptyline (mean dose 122 mg at night) in a double-blind study of 64 depressed out-patients. Fifty patients completed the 6-week trial. The drugs did not differ with respect to psychiatrists' ratings, but amitriptyline was slightly superior with respect to patients' ratings. The amitriptyline-treated group had complaints of dry mouth and dizziness on standing; the fluoxetine-treated group of sleep disturbances, nausea, and headaches.
Young
J P
JP
St Thomas's Hospital, London.
Coleman
A
A
Lader
M H
MH
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000639:Amitriptyline / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005473:Fluoxetine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011437:Propylamines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011897:Random Allocation
D011437:Propylamines; D005473:Fluoxetine; D000639:Amitriptyline