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 .
Predictors of therapeutic benefit from amitriptyline in mild depression: a general practice placebo-controlled trial.
General practice depressives were treated for 6 weeks with amitriptyline or placebo in a controlled trial . Overall , drug was found strongly superior to placebo . Interactions were examined between drug effects and a number of variables , principally reflecting demographic characteristics , history of illness , severity of illness , and endogenous depression separately in symptoms and stress . Only in the area of severity were significant interactions found . Amitriptyline was superior to placebo in probable or definite major depression on the Research Diagnostic Criteria , but not in minor depression . It was also superior to placebo in subjects with initial scores on the Hamilton Depression Scale of 13 - 15 , and 16 or more , but not with lower scores . Findings indicate that tricyclic antidepressants are of considerable benefit in relatively mild depressions , except in the mildest range
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 .