Fluoxetine versus trimipramine in the treatment of depression in geriatric patients.
BACKGROUND
Fluoxetine, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), and trimipramine, a tricyclic antidepressant (TCA), were compared in terms of efficacy and tolerability in a six-week, parallel group, double-blind pilot study in 41 geriatric patients with major depression (61 - 85 years old).


METHODS
The Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAMD-17), the Montgomery-Asberg Rating Scale (MADRS), the Adjective Mood Scale (Bf-S), the Clinical Global Impression (CGI), and the Patients Global Impression (PGI) were used to measure changes in depressive symptoms.


RESULTS
Improvement with treatment was found on all scales. Efficacy and tolerability were similar in both groups. No statistically significant differences were found.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings suggest that fluoxetine and trimipramine are comparable in terms of efficacy and tolerability in the treatment of major depression in geriatric patients.
Wehmeier
P M
PM
Lilly Deutschland, Bad Homburg, Germany.
Kluge
M
M
Maras
A
A
Riemann
D
D
Berger
M
M
Kohnen
R
R
Dittmann
R W
RW
Gattaz
W F
WF
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D018687:Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005473:Fluoxetine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D014299:Trimipramine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D018687:Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation; D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic; D005473:Fluoxetine; D014299:Trimipramine