Amitriptyline is an efficacious antidepressant drug .
It is , however , also associated with a number of side effects .
Degree of placebo response and severity of depression at baseline may moderate drug-placebo efficacy differences
BACKGROUND Amitriptyline is a tricyclic antidepressant that was synthesis ed in 1960 and introduced as early as 1961 in the USA , but is still regularly used .
It has also been frequently used as an active comparator in trials on newer antidepressants and can therefore be called a ' benchmark ' antidepressant .
However , its efficacy and safety compared to placebo in the treatment of major depression has not been assessed in a systematic review and meta- analysis .
OBJECTIVES To assess the effects of amitriptyline compared to placebo or no treatment for major depressive disorder in adults .
Cianopramine and amitriptyline in the treatment of depressed patients — a placebo-controlled study
Abstract 3-Cyano-imipramine ( cianopramine ) is a potent and selective inhibitor of serotonin uptake into synaptosomes . In a double-blind trial , 60 patients with various types of depression fulfilling the DSM-III criteria of depressive episodes were treated with either cianopramine ( n=20 , mean daily dose 3.3±0.6 mg ) amitriptyline ( n=20 , mean daily dose 86.4±21 mg ) or placebo ( n=20 ) orally . According to the ratings of the Hamilton Scale of Dpression and clinical global evaluations , both active drugs showed statistical superiority over placebo ( P<0.02 ) . The frequencies of anticholinergic side effects in the cianopramine group were comparable to those of the placebo group and were less than in the amitriptyline group . The findings suggest that cianopramine is a promising new antidepressant
Amitriptyline is an efficacious antidepressant drug .
It is , however , also associated with a number of side effects .
Degree of placebo response and severity of depression at baseline may moderate drug-placebo efficacy differences
BACKGROUND Amitriptyline is a tricyclic antidepressant that was synthesis ed in 1960 and introduced as early as 1961 in the USA , but is still regularly used .
It has also been frequently used as an active comparator in trials on newer antidepressants and can therefore be called a ' benchmark ' antidepressant .
However , its efficacy and safety compared to placebo in the treatment of major depression has not been assessed in a systematic review and meta- analysis .
OBJECTIVES To assess the effects of amitriptyline compared to placebo or no treatment for major depressive disorder in adults .