Escitalopram in the long-term treatment of major depressive disorder.
BACKGROUND
Escitalopram has been proven safe and efficacious in the treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD) in short-term studies. The long-term clinical tolerability and response to treatment are presented from a 12-month open-label study with a total exposure time to escitalopram of 486 patient years.


METHODS
Patients (n = 590) with MDD entered the study after completing one of two 8-week, double-blind, placebo-controlled, lead-in studies in primary care. Escitalopram was administered at doses of 10 or 20 mg/day (dose based on physician's clinical judgement) with an average exposure to escitalopram of 315 days. The primary efficacy parameter was the Montgomery Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) total score.


RESULTS
The overall withdrawal rate was 26%; and the withdrawal rate due to adverse events was 9%. The most common adverse events were headache, back pain, upper respiratory tract infection, rhinitis and nausea, with an incidence ranging from 11% to 17%. No new types of adverse events were seen after the acute period of 8 weeks, and the incidence declined with time. At baseline (entry into the 12-month study), patients had a mean MADRS total score of 14.2, which decreased to 10.5 after 8 weeks and 7.2 after 52 weeks (LOCF). The percentage of patients in remission (MADRS total score </=12) increased from 46% at baseline to 65% by Week 8 and 86% by Week 52.


CONCLUSIONS
Escitalopram (10 to 20 mg/day) demonstrated a favorable safety and tolerability profile over 12-months treatment, with further improvement in patient response.
Wade
Alan
A
CPS Research, Glasgow, United Kingdom. alan@edgehill.demon.co.uk
Despiegel
Nicolas
N
Heldbo Reines
Elin
E
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015283:Citalopram / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004361:Drug Tolerance; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D015283:Citalopram; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors