Citalopram and imipramine in the treatment of depressive patients in general practice. A Nordic multicentre clinical study.
Two dose levels of citalopram, 10-30 mg and 20-60 mg, were compared with imipramine, 50-150 mg, in depressed patients treated in general practice. This was a multicentre study carried out in Denmark, Sweden, Norway, and Finland. The duration of treatment was 6 weeks with an optional continuation phase of a further 16 weeks. The patients were assessed by means of the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAMD), Clinical Global Impressions (CGI), and a visual analogue self-rating scale for depression. Observed and spontaneously reported adverse events were recorded. A total of 472 patients were entered into the study and 400 patients completed the 6 week trial period. A total of 297 patients completed the optional 22 week double-blind period. A clear reduction of the HAMD total scores was seen in all three treatment groups with no significant differences between groups. A reduction of the HAMD anxiety factor and sleep factor scores was also seen with no significant differences between treatments. The imipramine-treated patients showed a higher frequency of adverse events, especially the anticholinergic type, than citalopram-treated patients. Most patients entered into the continuation phase remained well.
H. Lundbeck A/S, Valby-Copenhagen, Denmark.
C
C
Rosenberg
N
N
Damsbo
E
E
Fuglum
L V
LV
Jacobsen
S
S
Horsgård
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015283:Citalopram / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005194:Family Practice; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007099:Imipramine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D008134:Long-Term Care; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009426:Netherlands; D010348:Patient Care Team; D010555:Personality Inventory
D015283:Citalopram; D007099:Imipramine