A DOUBLE-BLIND, MULTICENTER STUDY OF PAROXETINE AND MAPROTILINE IN MAJOR DEPRESSION

Objective: This study was performed to compare the clinical efficacy, side effects, and safety of paroxetine and maprotiline, the latter bei ng the most frequently prescribed antidepressant in Switzerland. Metho d: Seventy-one patients (in and outpatients) with major depression wer e randomly allocated to treatment with paroxetine (20 to 40 mg daily) or with maprotiline (50 to 150 mg daily). Efficacy was measured by mea ns of the Hamilton Psychiatric Rating Scale for Depression, the Montgo mery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale, the Clinical Global Impression, a nd the Hopkins Symptom Checklist. Results: The 2 components showed a s imilar efficacy. The adverse effect profile was comparable in the 2 tr eatment groups, although the findings showed a nonsignificant trend po inting in the direction of lower side effects with paroxetine. Conclus ion: In the moderate dose regimens tested, the 2 components seemed to be of similar efficacy, with comparable profiles of side effects and s afety.