Fixed-dose trial of the single isomer SSRI Escitalopram in depressed outpatients
Fixed-dose trial of the single isomer SSRI Escitalopram in depressed outpatients
Abstract
Escitalopram (ESC) is the single isomer responsible for the serotonin reuptake inhibition produced by the racemic antidepressant citalopram. This study evaluated the efficacy and tolerability of ESC in the treatment of major depressive disorder. 491 adult outpatients with an ongoing major depressive episode were randomly assigned to placebo; ESC, 10 mg/day; ESC, 20 mg/day; or citalopram, 40 mg/day; and entered an 8-wk double-blind treatment period following a 1-wk single-blind placebo lead-in. Clinical response was evaluated by the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale, the 24-item Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression, the Clinical Global Impressions scales, the Hamilton Rating Scale for Anxiety, and patient-rated quality-of-life scales. ESC, at both doses, produced significant improvement at study endpoint relative to placebo on all measures of depression; significant separation of ESC from placebo was observed within 1 wk of double-blind treatment. Citalopram treatment also significantly improved depressive symptomatology compared with placebo; however, ESC, 10 mg/day, was at least as effective as citalopram, 40 mg/day, at endpoint. Anxiety symptoms and quality of life were also significantly improved by ESC compared with placebo. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved)
Accession Number: 2002-02802-010. PMID: 12000207 Other Journal Title: Diseases of the Nervous System. Partial author list: First Author & Affiliation: Burke, William J.; U Nebraska Medical Ctr, Dept of Psychiatry, Omaha, NE, US. Release Date: 20020522. Correction Date: 20160919. Publication Type: Journal (0100), Peer Reviewed Journal (0110). Format Covered: Print. Document Type: Journal Article. Language: English. Major Descriptor: Antidepressant Drugs; Drug Therapy; Major Depression; Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors. Classification: Clinical Psychopharmacology (3340). Population: Human (10); Male (30); Female (40); Outpatient (60). Location: US. Age Group: Adulthood (18 yrs & older) (300); Young Adulthood (18-29 yrs) (320); Thirties (30-39 yrs) (340); Middle Age (40-64 yrs) (360); Aged (65 yrs & older) (380). Tests & Measures: Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression DOI: 10.1037/t04100-000; Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale DOI: 10.1037/t04111-000. Methodology: Clinical Trial; Empirical Study. References Available: Y. Page Count: 6. Issue Publication Date: Apr, 2002.
