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 .
A double‐blind multicenter trial comparing sertraline and citalopram in patients with major depression treated in general practice
The purpose of this double-blind , multicenter trial was to compare the efficacy and safety of sertraline ( 50–150 ing/day ) with those of citalopram ( 20–60 mg/day ) in patients with major depression in general practice during 24 weeks of treatment . The patients were assessed using the Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale and the Clinical Global Impressions of severity and improvement scales . Observed and spontaneously reported adverse events were recorded and side-effects were assessed by means of the UKU Side-Effect Scale .  Altogether 400 patients were r and omized into the study . A total of 308 patients completed the 24-week study in accordance with the protocol . A significant reduction in the total Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale scores was observed in both treatment groups as early as 2 weeks , with no statistically significant differences between the drugs . In the intention to treat-lust observation carried forward analysis 76 % responded to treatment in the sertraline and 81 % in the citalopram group . The final mean doses were 82 mg/day ( 64 % higher than baseline ) in the sertraline group and 34 mg/day ( 70 % higher than baseline ) in the citalopram group . The response rate in completers in accordance with protocol was 90 % in the sertraline group and 93 % in the citalopram group . The side-effects were those usually seen , and both sertraline and citalopram were considered to be well tolerated . It was concluded that patients with major depression in general practice  respond well to 24 weeks of treatment with sertraline or citalopram . With regard to efficacy , no statistically significant differences were found between the drugs
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 .