Comparison of efficacy and tolerability of reboxetine and venlafaxine XR in major depression and major depression with anxiety features: an open label study.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy and tolerability of reboxetine in the treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD) and MDD with anxiety features to venlafaxine XR.


METHODS
Patients with MDD, aging 18 between 65 years, were randomly allocated to two groups receiving either open-label venlafaxine XR capsules (n = 50) or reboxetine tablets (n = 43). Subjects were administered Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D) and Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAM-A) at baseline and 2, 4, 7, 10 weeks after the baseline visit.


RESULTS
Response rates to antidepressant treatment were significantly higher in the venlafaxine XR group at 10th week. When patients having anxious depression were analysed separately; response rate for anxiety of reboxetine group was significantly higher at 7th week only. Mean number of side effects were significantly higher in reboxetine group. Only one subject in each group was dropped out due to side effect.


CONCLUSIONS
We may suggest that reboxetine is as effective and tolerable as venlafaxine XR in the treatment of MDD and MDD with anxiety features, and it may be considered a treatment option to venlafaxine XR.
Akkaya
Cengiz
C
Psychiatry Department, Uludag University, Medical Faculty, Bursa, Turkey.
Sivrioglu
Enver Yusuf
EY
Akgoz
Semra
S
Eker
Salih Saygin
SS
Kirli
Selcuk
S
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001007:Anxiety / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003511:Cyclohexanols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004341:Drug Evaluation; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009025:Morpholines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D000077593:Reboxetine; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D000069470:Venlafaxine Hydrochloride
D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D003511:Cyclohexanols; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D009025:Morpholines; D000069470:Venlafaxine Hydrochloride; D000077593:Reboxetine