[A test for using meta-analysis to evaluate antidepressive effects of fluoxetine].

The review of clinical antidepressive efficacy of fluoxetine was made on the basis of various authors' reports. The results showed that clinical efficacy of fluoxetine and of classical antidepressive drugs in the treatment of depression was comparable. The meta-analysis revealed effect-size of fluoxetine to be similar to tricyclics. Also the clinical effects of fluoxetine in the treatment of depressive disorders of different severity (mild, moderate, severe) were similar to the effects of classic tricyclic agents. The tolerability of therapeutic doses of fluoxetine in the daily range 20 to 40 mg is comparable while the dosage augmentation to 60 mg per day causes increase in the percentage of patients demonstrating side effects. In comparison with placebo fluoxetine showed significantly better clinical efficacy in the treatment of depression.