title: Suitable dose and duration of fluvoxamine administration to treat depression.
abstract: The purpose of the present paper was to determine the suitable dose and appropriate trial duration of fluvoxamine to treat for depression. A retrospective cohort analysis was performed among depression patients who were treated in the Department of Psychiatry, Kawasaki Medical School Hospital, Kurashiki, Japan, in 2000. A total of 72 patients received fluvoxamine to treat depression. The dose-response was compared and the initial significant clinical action was examined. The percentage showing improvement after receiving a high daily dose (100-150 mg) of fluvoxamine was 73.7%, but that showing improvement on a low daily dose (50-75 mg) was 47.1%. A significant difference between the two groups was seen on Kaplan-Meier analysis and log-rank test (chi2 = 4.814; d.f. = 1; P = 0.0282). The cumulative percentage of responder patients was more than 80% at the end of a 6-week period. Fluvoxamine is recommended at a daily dose of 100 mg or 150 mg as the initial dose. If a patient does not show improvement by the end of 6 weeks the treatment regimen of fluvoxamine should be altered.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Kawasaki Medical School, Kurashiki, Okayama, Japan. morisita@med.kawasaki-m.ac.jp
authors.forename: Shigeru
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Morishita
authors.forename: Seizaburo
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Arita
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D018687:Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D016666:Fluvoxamine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011358:Product Surveillance, Postmarketing; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D018687:Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation; D016666:Fluvoxamine