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 .
A comparative clinical trial of fluoxetine, mianserin and placebo in depressed outpatients
Fluoxetine , a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor , was compared with mianserin and placebo in a double‐blind study . In total , 81 depressed patients were included . Patients were rated weekly on the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale ( HDRS ) and the Montgomery & Asberg Depression Rating Scale ( MADRS ) . The duration was 6 weeks , and 52 patients completed the study . Significantly more patients on fluoxetine improved than patients on placebo . For mianserin no significant differences were found with either fluoxetine or placebo . Mean HDRS at the end of the study was also statistically significantly lower for fluoxetine , but not for mianserin , than placebo . Subscores of the MADRS showed improved sleep on mianserin at weeks 2 and 3 . Suicidal feelings were reduced to a greater degree on fluoxetine than on mianserin and placebo at weeks 6 and 7 . Fluoxetine  induced weight loss , while patients on mianserin gained weight . Side effects were present in most patients on the two active drugs ; those on fluoxetine experienced nausea and vomiting , and those on mianserin drowsiness
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 .