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 .
Superiority of escitalopram to paroxetine in the treatment of depression
Post-hoc pooled analysis of data from two 6-month r and omised controlled trials in patients with major depressive disorder ( MDD ) revealed superior efficacy and tolerability of escitalopram when compared with paroxetine . Escitalopram ( n=394 ) produced a significantly ( p<0.01 ) greater mean treatment difference of 2.0 points in primary endpoints , judged using the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale ( MADRS ) total score , compared with paroxetine ( n=383 ) . Significant differences were also observed in Clinical Global Impression (CGI)--severity  ( escitalopram , 2.1 ; paroxetine , 2.4 ; p<0.01 ) and CGI -- improvement ( escitalopram , 1.8 ; paroxetine , 2.0 : p<0.01 ) . In the sub-group of severely depressed patients ( baseline MADRS > or = 30 ) , escitalopram showed further improved efficacy compared with paroxetine in all scores . This analysis supports previous observations of superior efficacy and tolerability of long-term escitalopram treatment ( 10 to 20 mg/day ) compared with paroxetine ( 20 to 40 mg/day ) . Escitalopram is a good therapeutic option for the long-term treatment of MDD , particularly in severely depressed patients
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 .