title: Clinical effectiveness and safety of escitalopram and desvenlafaxine in patients of depression with anxiety: a randomized, open-label controlled trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRI) are effective in treating anxiety disorders associated with major depressive disorder (MDD). This randomized, controlled, parallel-group, open-label, phase 4 trial (CTRI/2012/08/002895) was undertaken to compare the effectiveness and safety of desvenlafaxine versus escitalopram, a standard antidepressant.
  
  
  METHODS
  Effectiveness was assessed using the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D17) and Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A). Response to treatment was assessed by ≥50% decrease of baseline scores (responder rate). Safety and tolerability was evaluated by changes in routine laboratory parameters, vital signs, and adverse events reported by the subject and/or observed by the clinician.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Responder rates for both HAM-A and HAM-D scores at 8 weeks were better in the escitalopram group compared to the desvenlafaxine group (HAM-A 76.92% vs. 71.05%; HAM-D 79.48% vs 73.68%) but the differences were not statistically significant (P = 0.59 and P = 0.61). Within group changes of both scores, from baseline to subsequent visits in both treatment arms were statistically significant (P < 0.01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The effectiveness of desvenlafaxine was comparable to escitalopram, but escitalopram was better tolerated.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Postgraduate Education and Research, Kolkata, West Bengal, India.
authors.forename: Nabakumar
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Maity
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatry, Kolkata, West Bengal, India.
authors.forename: Malay Kumar
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Ghosal
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, North Bengal Medical College, Siliguri, Darjeeling, West Bengal, India.
authors.forename: Anupam
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gupta
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Postgraduate Education and Research, Kolkata, West Bengal, India.
authors.forename: Amrita
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sil
authors.affiliation: Departrment of Pharmacology, Calcutta National Medical College, Kolkata, West Bengal, India.
authors.forename: Sushmita
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Chakraborty
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Postgraduate Education and Research, Kolkata, West Bengal, India.
authors.forename: Suparna
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Chatterjee
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001007:Anxiety / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D015283:Citalopram / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003511:Cyclohexanols / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D000069468:Desvenlafaxine Succinate; D006801:Humans; D013732:Test Anxiety Scale
chemical_list: D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D003511:Cyclohexanols; D015283:Citalopram; D000069468:Desvenlafaxine Succinate
keywords: Anxiety; clinical trial; desvenlafaxine; escitalopram; major depressive disorder
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