BACKGROUND: the efficacy and tolerability of the new antidepressant mirtazapine were evaluated in a multicentre, randomized, double-blind, amitriptyline-controlled, 5 week clinical study. METHOD: 156 patients with a DSM-III diagnosis of major depressive episode and 21-item Hamilton Psychiatric Rating Scale for Depression (HPRSD) score ≥ 18, were randomized to treatment with either mirtazapine 20-60 mg/day or amitriptyline 75-225 mg/day. RESULTS:mirtazapine and amitriptyline were equally effective in reducing depressive symptoms, as assessed by the 17-item HPRSD and MADRS scales. Mirtazapine was better tolerated than amitriptyline, with fewer drop-outs due to adverse events and lower incidences of adverse events both at the beginning and at the end of the trial. CONCLUSION: this study shows that mirtazapine is as effective as amitriptyline in treating major depression, while at the same time better tolerated.
RCT Entities:
BACKGROUND: the efficacy and tolerability of the new antidepressant mirtazapine were evaluated in a multicentre, randomized, double-blind, amitriptyline-controlled, 5 week clinical study. METHOD: 156 patients with a DSM-III diagnosis of major depressive episode and 21-item Hamilton Psychiatric Rating Scale for Depression (HPRSD) score ≥ 18, were randomized to treatment with either mirtazapine 20-60 mg/day or amitriptyline 75-225 mg/day. RESULTS:mirtazapine and amitriptyline were equally effective in reducing depressive symptoms, as assessed by the 17-item HPRSD and MADRS scales. Mirtazapine was better tolerated than amitriptyline, with fewer drop-outs due to adverse events and lower incidences of adverse events both at the beginning and at the end of the trial. CONCLUSION: this study shows that mirtazapine is as effective as amitriptyline in treating major depression, while at the same time better tolerated.
Authors: Katja Grasmäder; Petra Louise Verwohlt; Kai-Uwe Kühn; Aleksandra Dragicevic; Olrik von Widdern; Astrid Zobel; Christoph Hiemke; Marcella Rietschel; Wolfgang Maier; Ulrich Jaehde; Marie Luise Rao Journal: Eur J Clin Pharmacol Date: 2004-09 Impact factor: 2.953