title: Efficacy and safety of add on low-dose mirtazapine in depression.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Although antidepressant medications are effective, they have a delayed onset of effect. Mirtazapine, an atypical antidepressant is an important option for add-on therapy in major depression. There is insufficient data on mirtazapine in Indian population; hence this study was designed to study the add-on effect of low-dose mirtazapine with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) in major depressive disorder (MDD) in Indian population.
  
  
  METHODS
  In an open, randomized study, 60 patients were divided into two groups. In Group A (n=30) patients received conventional SSRIs for 6 weeks. In Group B (n=30) patients received conventional SSRIs with low-dose mirtazapine for 6 weeks. Patients were evaluated at baseline and then at 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 weeks.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was significant improvement in Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS), Montgomery and Asberg depression rating scale (MADRS) scores (P<0.05) in both groups. Mirtazapine in low dose as add on therapy showed improvement in scores, had earlier onset of action, and more number of responders and remitters as compared to conventional treatment (P<0.05). No serious adverse event was reported in either of the groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Low-dose mirtazapine as add-on therapy has shown better efficacy, earlier onset of action and more number of responders and remitters as compared to conventional treatment in MDD in Indian patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Gian Sagar Medical College and Hospital, Ram Nagar, District Patiala, India.
authors.forename: Prithpal S
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Matreja
authors.forename: Dinesh K
authors.initials: DK
authors.lastname: Badyal
authors.forename: Randhir S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Deswal
authors.forename: Arvind
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sharma