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 .
Moclobemide versus fluoxetine in the treatment of major depressive disorder in adults.
The objective of the present study was to compare the safety and efficacy of moclobemide versus fluoxetine in adult patients with major depressive disorder . The design of the study was a multicenter , double-blind , comparative , and r and omized trial . A 1- to 2-week single-blind placebo washout phase was followed by 6 weeks of double-blind treatment with moclobemide or fluoxetine .  A total of 150 patients were enrolled in the study . There were 128 patients eligible to be r and omized , with 66 patients receiving moclobemide and 62 patients receiving fluoxetine .  At the termination of the study , patients in the  moclobemide  group were receiving a mean dose of 440 mg + /- 123 mg , while the mean dose in the fluoxetine group was 35 mg + /- 8 mg . No significant treatment differences were found for any of the efficacy parameters . Headache and nausea were the most frequently reported adverse events in both treatment groups . Headache and blurred vision were reported significantly more often ( P < 0.05 ) in the fluoxetine group , whereas significantly more dry mouth was reported ( P < 0.05 ) in the moclobemide group . These results provide supporting evidence of the comparable efficacy of moclobemide and fluoxetine and the better tolerability of moclobemide when used in the treatment of major depressive disorder
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 .