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 .
Cost-Effectiveness of Escitalopram versus Citalopram in the Treatment of Severe Depression
BACKGROUND : Severe depression is associated with an extensive economic burden on both the patient and society . OBJECTIVE : To estimate the cost-effectiveness in Austria of escitalopram compared with citalopram in the management of severe depression ( Montgomery — Åsberg Depression Rating Scale score ≥30 ) . METHODS : A decision model incorporated treatment paths and associated direct re source use ( psychiatric hospitalization , medications , general practitioner and psychiatrist visits , treatment discontinuation , suicide attempts ) associated with managing severe depression and the indirect cost of work absenteeism over a 6-month period . Main outcomes were clinical success ( remission at 6 mo ) and cost ( 2002 Euros equals ∼1.25 US ) of treatment . The analysis was performed from the Austrian societal and Social Healthcare Insurance System ( SHIS ) perspectives . Clinical input data were derived from a meta- analysis of 8-week r and omized clinical trials . Costs were derived from st and ard Austrian price lists or from the literature . RESULTS : Six months after the start of treatment , the overall clinical success remission rate was higher for escitalopram ( 53.7 % ) than for citalopram ( 48.7 % ) . From the SHIS perspective , the total expected cost per successfully treated severely depressed patient was € 924 ( 32.1 % ) lower for escitalopram ( € 2879 ) compared with citalopram ( € 3803 ) . From the societal perspective , the total expected cost per successfully treated severely depressed patient was € 1369 ( 24.4 % ) lower for escitalopram ( € 5610 ) than for citalopram ( € 6979 ) . Sensitivity analyses demonstrated that the model was robust and that , even if citalopram  had no acquisition  cost , escitalopram remained the dominant strategy for both perspectives . CONCLUSIONS : Treatment with escitalopram was the dominant strategy . These data suggest that escitalopram is a cost-effective antidepressant compared with citalopram in the management of severe depression in Austria
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 .