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 .
Differential effect of amitriptyline and bupropion on primary and secondary depression: a pilot study.
In a prospect i ve , controlled , double-blind study , 37 patients with major depressive disorder were subclassified into primary depression ( N = 25 ) and secondary ( N = 12 ) depression and treated with either amitriptyline ( primary depressives N = 13 , secondary depressives N = 6 ) or bupropion ( primary depressives N = 12 , secondary depressives N = 6 ) . A differential response to the novel antidepressant bupropion  was observed between the two diagnostic subgroups , but no differential response to amitriptyline  was observed ; patients with primary depression and secondary depression responded equally well to  amitriptyline  but not to  bupropion .  Our results provide pharmacological evidence supporting the usefulness of this subclassification of depression
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 .