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 .
Evaluation of the cost effectiveness of escitalopram versus venlafaxine XR in major depressive disorder
Abstract Aim : To assess the relative cost effectiveness of escitalopram compared with venlafaxine XR in patients with major depressive disorder ( MDD ) . Methods : An economic evaluation was conducted alongside a double-blind , multinational , r and omised clinical trial and examined the costs and quality of life of 251 patients taking escitalopram versus venlafaxine . Out patients fulfilling criteria for MDD were r and omised to receive oral escitalopram 10–20 mg/day or venlafaxine 75–150 mg/day for 8 weeks . Patient-reported outcomes ( EuroQOL question naire , Quality of Life Depression Scale ) , use of medical services and absence from work ( relating to the previous 3 months ) were recorded at baseline , with repeated measurements at week 8 . Unit costs in year values were applied to the re source utilisation data . A cost-effectiveness analysis was performed using the EuroQOL score as the effectiveness measure . The perspective was that of the healthcare payer , with a societal perspective considered in a sensitivity analysis . Results : Statistically significant improvements in patient-reported outcomes ( vs baseline ) were observed in both groups after 8 weeks ’ treatment . Patients treated with escitalopram tended to report fewer problems on the EuroQOL dimensions than venlafaxine recipients . Mean per-patient costs in euros ( € , year 2003 values ) for the escitalopram group , compared with the venlafaxine group , were 32 % lower ( € 110 vs € 161 ) from a healthcare perspective , although this was not a statistically significant difference . Differences were related to lower drug acquisition costs and fewer hospitalisations  for escitalopram than venlafaxine recipients . A multivariate model adjusting for baseline characteristics showed that escitalopram  reduced direct costs compared with venlafaxine ( p = 0.007 ) . Bootstrapped distributions of the incremental cost-effectiveness ratios also showed similar effectiveness but lower costs for escitalopram compared with venlafaxine . Inclusion of indirect costs led to similar results . Conclusion : This prospect i ve economic analysis suggests that escitalopram has similar effectiveness to venlafaxine in the treatment of MDD , but may be associated with lower healthcare costs . These findings are consistent with previously published economic evaluations
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 .