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 .
Differentiating moderate and severe depression using the Montgomery-Asberg depression rating scale (MADRS).
BACKGROUND MADRS cut-off scores for moderate and severe depression were estimated in relation to the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale ( HAMD(17 ) ) and the Clinical Global Impressions Scale ( CGI ) . METHOD HAMD(17 ) , MADRS , and CGI ratings from patients with major depression ( DSM-IV ) were analyzed ( N=85 ) . Receiver operating characteristics ( ROC ) curves were applied . RESULTS Mean age was 51.4+/-14.5 years , 69 % were female .  Mean MADRS scores were 23.4+/-13.2 , HAMD(17 ) , MADRS , and CGI scores were highly correlated ( r>0.85 ; P<0.0001 ) . Best separation between moderate and severe depression according to CGI criteria was achieved with a MADRS score of 31 ( sensitivity 93.5 % , specificity 83.3 % ) . LIMITATIONS Studies to vali date severity gradations including DSM-IV or ICD-10 diagnostic severity categories are recommended . CONCLUSIONS Empirically based MADRS cut-off scores to separate moderate from severe depression on the basis of HAMD(17 ) and CGI severity ratings in patients with major depression were yielded
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 .