A metaregression analysis indicated that , after adjusting for possible confounders , studies where fluoxetine was the experimental agent were positively associated with treatment effect , indicating a significant advantage for fluoxetine .
The evidence that the outcome of fluoxetine trials varied according to whether this drug was used as a new compound or a reference one suggests the presence of bias
The present study investigated whether the outcome of r and omized clinical trials study ing fluoxetine favored fluoxetine , where this was the experimental agent , and favored comparator antidepressants in trials where fluoxetine was the reference agent .
Compliance in depressed patients treated with fluoxetine or amitriptyline
Two dimensions of compliance ( drop-outs and adherence ) were investigated in patients treated with antidepressant drugs .  Efficacy , compliance and its determinants were investigated in 66 patients suffering from major depressive disorder and treated in a double-blind manner with fluoxetine 20 mg/day or amitriptyline 150 mg/day for 9 weeks . Overall effectiveness [ 50 % decrease in the initial Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression ( HAM-D ) ] was similar in both groups ( 62.8 % for fluoxetine , 58.1 % for amitriptyline ) . The dropout rate due to side effects was 35.5 % for amitriptyline and 5.7 % for fluoxetine . A logistic regression analysis revealed that the initial HAM-D score was not predictive for dropping out , but this outcome was instead determined by sex ( increased risk for males ) , age ( increased risk for being younger ) and occurrence of severe side effects . Adherence was estimated using electronic Medication Event Monitoring System and defined as the percentage of days when the correct dose was taken out of the medication container . Of the patients studied 37 % had an adherence of less than 70 % . There was no relationship between adherence and efficacy and adherence was similar in patients on fluoxetine or amitriptyline .  Side effects were not predictive of being adherent or not , but a higher initial HAM-D score predicted a higher adherence to the medication regimen . The demographic variables bad no significant effect . The present study suggests that the link between efficacy , side effects and compliance or adherence is more complex than is generally believed and that early termination and non-adherence seem to be determined by different factors
A metaregression analysis indicated that , after adjusting for possible confounders , studies where fluoxetine was the experimental agent were positively associated with treatment effect , indicating a significant advantage for fluoxetine .
The evidence that the outcome of fluoxetine trials varied according to whether this drug was used as a new compound or a reference one suggests the presence of bias
The present study investigated whether the outcome of r and omized clinical trials study ing fluoxetine favored fluoxetine , where this was the experimental agent , and favored comparator antidepressants in trials where fluoxetine was the reference agent .