Conclusions : International differences in prescriber behaviour may influence , and in turn be influenced by , the conduct of clinical trials .
Objective : International differences are thought to exist in dosages used by clinicians treating mood disorders .
This study examined international dosage differences in antidepressant clinical trials , using a data base formed and maintained as a component of a Cochrane review of comparative clinical trials of fluoxetine .
Double-blind controlled study on the clinical efficacy and safety of fluoxetine vs clomipramine in the treatment of major depressive disorders.
In the present double-blind controlled study the efficacy and safety of fluoxetine 20 mg/day versus clomipramine 75 mg/day was evaluated during 5 weeks of treatment in 30 hospitalized patients . The sample was selected according to DSM III criteria for major depressive disorders with a score of at least 18 on the first 17 items of the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression ( HRSD ) . Therapeutic efficacy was evaluated weekly by using HRSD , Zung Self Rating Scale for Depression , Montgomery-Asberg Scale for Depression , Clinical Global Impression for severity and improvement of depressive symptoms . Safety was monitored weekly by recording body weight , blood pressure , pulse rate , temperature , physical conditions , laboratory tests , adverse experiences and concomitant medication . The results confirm the effectiveness and good tolerability of fluoxetine in the treatment of depressive disorders
Conclusions : International differences in prescriber behaviour may influence , and in turn be influenced by , the conduct of clinical trials .
Objective : International differences are thought to exist in dosages used by clinicians treating mood disorders .
This study examined international dosage differences in antidepressant clinical trials , using a data base formed and maintained as a component of a Cochrane review of comparative clinical trials of fluoxetine .