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 .
A randomized, double-blind study of fluoxetine and maprotiline in the treatment of major depression.
In a six-week double-blind r and omized trial , preceded by a one-week single-blind placebo treatment , the efficacy and the side-effects of fluoxetine ( 40 - 80 mg/d ) ( n = 30 ) and maprotiline ( 50 - 150 mg/d ) ( n = 35 ) were compared in hospitalized patients with DSM-III Major Depression without psychotic features .  Efficacy was measured by means of the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale , the Raskin Depression Scale , the Covi Anxiety Scale , and a Clinical Global Impression . Side-effects were evaluated by an Adverse Events Scale . A statistically significant improvement was achieved in both treatment groups but success rates were modest . No differences in efficacy were found between the two groups . In addition , no statistically significant differences were found between the two groups either in frequency or in severity of adverse events . In fact , the only statistically significant difference found was in weight change : weight loss in the fluoxetine group and weight gain in the maprotiline group
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 .