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 .
Are tricyclic antidepressants useful for mild depression? A placebo controlled trial.
Depressions in general practice tend to be mild and non-endogenous . The value of antidepressants and indications for their use in such depressions are not well documented . One hundred and forty one general practice depressives were treated from four to six weeks with amitriptyline in median dose 125 mgs daily or placebo in a r and omised controlled trial . Significant drug placebo differences were apparent by two weeks and were strong by six weeks . Detailed examination of symptom ratings showed that the effect was a true antidepressant one , on core symptoms of depression . Interactions were examined between drug-placebo differences and a range of predictor characteristics . There were no significant interactions for demographic characteristics , history of illness or endogenous depression in terms of symptom pattern , absence of life stress or non-neurotic personality . Drug was superior to placebo in all subgroups . Only for initial severity of illness were significant interactions found . Amitriptyline was superior to placebo in probable and definite major depressions on the Research Diagnostic Criteria but not in minor depressions . It was also superior to placebo in patients with initial Hamilton Scale scores of more than 12 , but not 6 - 12 . Overall these findings indicate that tricyclic antidepressant is of clear therapeutic benefit in a spectrum of milder depressions except for the most mild of these
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 .