A double-blind, multicentre study to assess the tolerability and efficacy of paroxetine compared with amitriptyline in the treatment of depressed patients in Australian general practice

Abstract

Objective: This study compared the tolerability and efficacy of paroxetine and amitriptyline in the treatment of depression in general practice.

Methods: In this double-blind, multicentre study conducted in the general practice, patients with depression (Montgomery Asberg Depression Rating Scale [MADRS] score > or = 20) who were regarded as requiring antidepressant therapy were randomly assigned to receive paroxetine (20 mg, n = 184) or amitriptyline (50-100 mg, n = 191) once daily for 9 weeks.

Results: More patients completed treatment with paroxetine than with amitriptyline (71.1% vs 56.1%, p = 0.009). Depression rating scores (MADRS and Clinical Global Impression [CGI]) were improved with both agents, but at week 9, paroxetine achieved more favourable scores compared with amitriptyline on MADRS (p=0.019), CGI severity of depression (p=0.044), and CGI efficacy index (p = 0.038).

Conclusions: Depressed patients treated in general practice respond more quickly and are more likely to complete the treatment regimen with paroxetine than with amitriptyline.