Some statistically significant differences between citalopram and other antidepressants for the acute phase treatment of major depression were found in terms of efficacy , tolerability and acceptability .
Citalopram was more efficacious than paroxetine and reboxetine and more acceptable than tricyclics , reboxetine and venlafaxine , however , it seemed to be less efficacious than escitalopram .
BACKGROUND Recent US and UK clinical practice guidelines recommend that second-generation antidepressants should be considered amongst the best first-line options when drug therapy is indicated for a depressive episode .
Systematic review s have already highlighted some differences in efficacy between second-generation antidepressants .
Citalopram , one of the first selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors ( SSRI ) introduced in the market , is one of these antidepressant drugs that clinicians use for routine depression care .
OBJECTIVES To assess the evidence for the efficacy , acceptability and tolerability of citalopram in comparison with tricyclics , heterocyclics , other SSRIs and other conventional and non-conventional antidepressants in the acute-phase treatment of major depression .
Escitalopram Versus Citalopram and Sertraline: A Double-Blind Controlled, Multi-centric Trial in Indian Patients with Unipolar Major Depression
The present r and omized , double blind , parallel group , controlled , multi-centric trial was design ed to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of escitalopram in comparison with citalopram and sertraline in the treatment of major depressive disorder . Out patients ( N=214 ) with an ongoing/newly diagnosed ICD-10 major depressive episode and a Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression ( HAM-D ) score of > 18 were r and omly assigned to citalopram , 20–40 mg/day ( 74 patients ) , escitalopram , 10–20 mg/day ( 69 patients ) and sertraline , 50 - 150 mg/day ( 71 patients ) , for a 4-week double-blind treatment period , with dosage adjustment ( after 2 weeks of treatment ) according to the response to treatment . Clinical response was evaluated by the 17 items HAM-D and the Clinical Global Impression ( CGI ) scales , which were recorded at baseline and at weekly intervals . Tolerability was evaluated by observed/spontaneously reported adverse changes in laboratory parameters ( baseline and after 4 weeks ) . Response rate was defined as a decrease in HAM-D score by 50 % from baseline and remission rate was defined as a HAM-D score of < 8 . Response rate at the end of two week were 58 % for escitalopram ( 10mg/day ) , 49 % for citalopram ( 20mg/day ) and 52 % for sertraline ( 50 - 100mg/day ) . Response rate at the end of four week were 90 % for escitalopram ( 10 - 20mg/day ) , 86 % for citalopram ( 20 - 40mg/day ) and 97 % for sertraline ( 100 - 150mg/day ) . The Remission rates at the end of four weeks were 74 % for escitalopram , 65 % for citalopram and 77 % for sertraline . Adverse experiences were reported by 45 % of patients in escitalopram group , 58 % patients in citalopram and 56 % patients in the sertraline group . Additionally , there were lesser dropouts and lesser requirement for dose escalation in escitalopram than in citalopram and sertraline group . In conclusion Escitalopram , the Senantiomer of the citalopram is a safe and effective antidepressant in the Indian population . It has potentially superior efficacy than citalopram and a comparable efficacy to sertraline with fewer side effects  than both citalopram and sertraline
Some statistically significant differences between citalopram and other antidepressants for the acute phase treatment of major depression were found in terms of efficacy , tolerability and acceptability .
Citalopram was more efficacious than paroxetine and reboxetine and more acceptable than tricyclics , reboxetine and venlafaxine , however , it seemed to be less efficacious than escitalopram .
BACKGROUND Recent US and UK clinical practice guidelines recommend that second-generation antidepressants should be considered amongst the best first-line options when drug therapy is indicated for a depressive episode .
Systematic review s have already highlighted some differences in efficacy between second-generation antidepressants .
Citalopram , one of the first selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors ( SSRI ) introduced in the market , is one of these antidepressant drugs that clinicians use for routine depression care .
OBJECTIVES To assess the evidence for the efficacy , acceptability and tolerability of citalopram in comparison with tricyclics , heterocyclics , other SSRIs and other conventional and non-conventional antidepressants in the acute-phase treatment of major depression .