A controlled double-blind study of femoxetine and amitriptyline in patients with endogenous depression.
The new selective serotonin (5-HT)-uptake inhibitor femoxetine was compared with amitriptyline in a double-blind clinical trial comprising 77 depressed patients. The depressive symptoms were evaluated with the Hamilton rating scale, and a global clinical evaluation. Both drugs showed an antidepressive effect and no significant differences were found. Femoxetine induced a significantly lower frequency of dry mouth and blurred vision; this difference is presumably due to the weak anticholinergic effect of this substance. A small but significant weight loss was observed in the femoxetine group but not in the amitriptyline group.
D000639:Amitriptyline / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010880:Piperidines / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D010880:Piperidines; D000639:Amitriptyline; C010655:femoxetine