Conclusions : International differences in prescriber behaviour may influence , and in turn be influenced by , the conduct of clinical trials .
Objective : International differences are thought to exist in dosages used by clinicians treating mood disorders .
This study examined international dosage differences in antidepressant clinical trials , using a data base formed and maintained as a component of a Cochrane review of comparative clinical trials of fluoxetine .
Once-daily venlafaxine extended release (XR) compared with fluoxetine in outpatients with depression and anxiety. Venlafaxine XR 360 Study Group.
BACKGROUND We conducted a r and omized , double-blind , placebo-controlled study of the efficacy and safety of once-daily venlafaxine extended release ( XR ) and fluoxetine in out patients with major depression and concomitant anxiety . METHOD Patients who met DSM-IV criteria for major depressive disorder and satisfied eligibility criteria were r and omly assigned to once-daily venlafaxine XR , fluoxetine , or placebo for 12 weeks . Efficacy was assessed with the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression ( HAM-D ) , Hamilton Rating Scale for Anxiety ( HAM-A ) , and Clinical Global Impressions scale . RESULTS Among 359 out patients , venlafaxine XR and fluoxetine were significantly superior ( p < .05 ) to placebo on the HAM-D total score beginning at week 2 and continuing to the end of the study . Venlafaxine XR but not fluoxetine was significantly better than placebo at week 2 on the HAM-D depressed mood item . At week 12 , the HAM-D response rate was 43 % on placebo , 67 % on venlafaxine XR , and 62 % on fluoxetine ( p < .05 ) . The HAM-D remission rate was significantly higher ( p < .05 ) at weeks 3 , 4 , 6 , 8 , 12 , and final evaluation with venlafaxine XR and at weeks 8 , 12 , and final evaluation with fluoxetine than with placebo . The HAM-A response rate was significantly higher ( p < .05 ) with venlafaxine XR than with fluoxetine at week 12 . The incidence of discontinuation for adverse events was 5 % with placebo , 10 % with venlafaxine XR , and 7 % with fluoxetine . CONCLUSION Once-daily venlafaxine XR is effective and well tolerated for the treatment of major depression and concomitant anxiety and provides evidence for superiority over fluoxetine
Conclusions : International differences in prescriber behaviour may influence , and in turn be influenced by , the conduct of clinical trials .
Objective : International differences are thought to exist in dosages used by clinicians treating mood disorders .
This study examined international dosage differences in antidepressant clinical trials , using a data base formed and maintained as a component of a Cochrane review of comparative clinical trials of fluoxetine .