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 .
Fluoxetine compared with amitriptyline in elderly depression: a controlled clinical trial.
Twenty-eight elderly in patients suffering from major depressive episodes ( diagnosed according to DSM III ) received r and omly , on a double-blind basis , amitriptyline ( 75 mg/die ) or fluoxetine ( 20 mg/die ) for five weeks . There were four drop-outs in the amitriptyline group and two drop-outs in the fluoxetine group . Both groups showed a significant amelioration at the end point for Hamilton Rating Scale of Depression scores compared to the baseline value . Anticholinergic side-effects were significantly more severe in the amitriptyline group . Weight gain was detected only in patients receiving amitriptyline
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 .