A multicenter double-blind trial of paroxetine versus amitriptyline in depressed inpatients.
The phenylpiperidine derivative paroxetine is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor. In a double-blind 6-week trial, paroxetine was compared with amitriptyline in hospitalized patients suffering from major depression (DSM-III). One hundred fifty-three patients were enrolled in the study in seven centers in Austria and Germany. Results showed similar efficacy of both drugs after 6 weeks. The differences between groups in Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale and Clinical Global Impression ratings did not reach statistical significance at any time. Side effects were distributed similarly but with a significantly higher incidence of anticholinergic effects in patients treated with amitriptyline (p < or = 0.001), whereas agitation and insomnia were registered more often in the paroxetine group. This study supports the antidepressive efficacy of paroxetine in a sample of severely depressed inpatients.
Department of Psychiatry, Innsbruck University Hospital, Austria.
C H
CH
Stuppaeck
C
C
Geretsegger
A B
AB
Whitworth
H
H
Schubert
T
T
Platz
P
P
König
H
H
Hinterhuber
W W
WW
Fleischhacker
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000639:Amitriptyline / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017374:Paroxetine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010555:Personality Inventory; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000639:Amitriptyline; D017374:Paroxetine