Some statistically significant differences between citalopram and other antidepressants for the acute phase treatment of major depression were found in terms of efficacy , tolerability and acceptability .
Citalopram was more efficacious than paroxetine and reboxetine and more acceptable than tricyclics , reboxetine and venlafaxine , however , it seemed to be less efficacious than escitalopram .
BACKGROUND Recent US and UK clinical practice guidelines recommend that second-generation antidepressants should be considered amongst the best first-line options when drug therapy is indicated for a depressive episode .
Systematic review s have already highlighted some differences in efficacy between second-generation antidepressants .
Citalopram , one of the first selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors ( SSRI ) introduced in the market , is one of these antidepressant drugs that clinicians use for routine depression care .
OBJECTIVES To assess the evidence for the efficacy , acceptability and tolerability of citalopram in comparison with tricyclics , heterocyclics , other SSRIs and other conventional and non-conventional antidepressants in the acute-phase treatment of major depression .
Comparative efficacy and safety of a once-daily dosage of hypericum extract STW3-VI and citalopram in patients with moderate depression: a double-blind, randomised, multicentre, placebo-controlled study.
OBJECTIVE The objective of this double-blind , r and omised , placebo-controlled , multicentre clinical study was to demonstrate the non-inferiority and safety of the hypericum extract STW3-VI in a once-daily dosage regime in the treatment of moderate depression . During the 6-week treatment phase , the course of depression was documented by use of HAMD ( items 1 - 17 ) , the von Zerssen 's Adjective Mood Scale ( BfS ) and the CGI scales . The primary objective of this 3-arm design study was to demonstrate the non-inferiority of hypericum extract STW3-VI ( 900 mg ) to the SSRI citalopram ( 20 mg ) and superiority of hypericum over placebo . METHODS Out patients ( N = 388 ) suffering from moderate depression were enrolled . The safety and tolerability of hypericum extract in comparison to citalopram and placebo was investigated on the basis of CGI , the occurrence of adverse events and the investigation of laboratory parameters and vital signs . RESULTS From almost identical baseline values of 21.9 + /- 1.2 points ( hypericum extract ) , 21.8 + /- 1.2 points ( citalopram ) and 22.0 + /- 1.2 points ( placebo ) , the HAMD score was reduced to 10.3 + /- 6.4 ( hypericum extract ) , 10.3 + /- 6.4 ( citalopram ) and 13.0 + /- 6.9 ( placebo ) , respectively . Based on this data , the statistical significant therapeutic equivalence of hypericum extract STW3-VI to citalopram ( p < 0.0001 ) and the superiority of this hypericum extract over placebo ( p < 0.0001 ) was demonstrated . At the end of treatment 54.2 % ( hypericum extract ) , 55.9 % ( citalopram ) and 39.2 % ( placebo ) of the patients were assessed as therapy responders . The secondary efficacy parameters , change in BfS , CGI and amount of therapy responders showed that the hypericum group was not statistically different from the citalopram group , and significantly superior to the placebo group . Significantly more adverse events with " certain " , " probable " or " possible " relation to study medication were documented in the citalopram group ( hypericum : 17.2 % , citalopram : 53.2 % , placebo : 30 % ) . In most cases , the investigators assessed the tolerability of hypericum extract , citalopram and placebo as " good " or " very good " . CONCLUSION The non-inferiority of hypericum extract as compared to citalopram and the superiority of both active compounds to placebo were demonstrated , as well as a better safety and tolerability of hypericum extract in comparison to citalopram . These results revealed that hypericum extract STW3-VI is a good alternative to chemically defined antidepressants in the treatment of out patients with moderate depression
Some statistically significant differences between citalopram and other antidepressants for the acute phase treatment of major depression were found in terms of efficacy , tolerability and acceptability .
Citalopram was more efficacious than paroxetine and reboxetine and more acceptable than tricyclics , reboxetine and venlafaxine , however , it seemed to be less efficacious than escitalopram .
BACKGROUND Recent US and UK clinical practice guidelines recommend that second-generation antidepressants should be considered amongst the best first-line options when drug therapy is indicated for a depressive episode .
Systematic review s have already highlighted some differences in efficacy between second-generation antidepressants .
Citalopram , one of the first selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors ( SSRI ) introduced in the market , is one of these antidepressant drugs that clinicians use for routine depression care .
OBJECTIVES To assess the evidence for the efficacy , acceptability and tolerability of citalopram in comparison with tricyclics , heterocyclics , other SSRIs and other conventional and non-conventional antidepressants in the acute-phase treatment of major depression .