A DOUBLE-BLIND COMPARISON OF AMITRIPTYLINOXIDE VERSUS DOXEPINE IN THETREATMENT OF SEVERE DEPRESSION

1. In a double-blind parallel group study the efficacy and safety of a mitriptylinoxide were evaluated vs. doxepine in the treatment of in-pa tients with severe depression. 2. Two groups of 22 patients each recei ved amitriptylinoxide and doxepine respectively at a daily dosage of 1 20-360 mg for a period of 4 weeks. 3. The total score on the Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD) was reduced with amitriptylinoxide on an avera ge from 28 +/- 5 before treatment to 12 +/- 8 at the end of treatment, with doxepine from 29 +/- 8 to 13 +/- 11. Of the amitriptylinoxide-tr eated patients, 12 showed a more than 50% reduction in this score comp ared with 15 under doxepine. The difference was not statistically sign ificant. 4. Twenty patients in each group experienced adverse drug rea ctions, the percentage of anticholinergic side effects being equal in the two groups.