A double-blind, multicentre study of paroxetine and maprotiline in major depression

Abstract

Objective: This study was performed to compare the clinical efficacy, side effects, and safety of paroxetine and maprotiline, the latter being the most frequently prescribed antidepressant in Switzerland.

Method: Seventy-one patients (in and outpatients) with major depression were randomly allocated to treatment with paroxetine (20 to 40 mg daily) or with maprotiline (50 to 150 mg daily). Efficacy was measured by means of the Hamilton Psychiatric Rating Scale for Depression, the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale, the Clinical Global Impression, and the Hopkins Symptom Checklist.

Results: The 2 components showed a similar efficacy. The adverse effect profile was comparable in the 2 treatment groups, although the findings showed a nonsignificant trend pointing in the direction of lower side effects with paroxetine.

Conclusion: In the moderate dose regimens tested, the 2 components seemed to be of similar efficacy, with comparable profiles of side effects and safety.