title: A double-blind, multicentre study to assess the tolerability and efficacy of paroxetine compared with amitriptyline in the treatment of depressed patients in Australian general practice.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study compared the tolerability and efficacy of paroxetine and amitriptyline in the treatment of depression in general practice.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this double-blind, multicentre study conducted in the general practice, patients with depression (Montgomery Asberg Depression Rating Scale [MADRS] score > or = 20) who were regarded as requiring antidepressant therapy were randomly assigned to receive paroxetine (20 mg, n = 184) or amitriptyline (50-100 mg, n = 191) once daily for 9 weeks.
  
  
  RESULTS
  More patients completed treatment with paroxetine than with amitriptyline (71.1% vs 56.1%, p = 0.009). Depression rating scores (MADRS and Clinical Global Impression [CGI]) were improved with both agents, but at week 9, paroxetine achieved more favourable scores compared with amitriptyline on MADRS (p=0.019), CGI severity of depression (p=0.044), and CGI efficacy index (p = 0.038).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Depressed patients treated in general practice respond more quickly and are more likely to complete the treatment regimen with paroxetine than with amitriptyline.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiarty, St Vincent's Hospital, Sydney, Australia.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Freed
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Goldney
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Lambert
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Tiller
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Johnston
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000639:Amitriptyline / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018687:Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001315:Australia; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017374:Paroxetine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000639:Amitriptyline; D018687:Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation; D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic; D017374:Paroxetine; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors