A MULTICENTER, DOUBLE-BLIND, AMITRIPTYLINE-CONTROLLED STUDY OF MIRTAZAPINE IN PATIENTS WITH MAJOR DEPRESSION

Background: the efficacy and tolerability of the new antidepressant mi rtazapine were evaluated in a multicentre, randomized, double-blind, a mitriptyline-controlled, 5 week clinical study. Method: 156 patients w ith a DSM-III diagnosis of major depressive episode and 21-item Hamilt on Psychiatric Rating Scale for Depression (HPRSD) score greater than or equal to 18, were randomized to treatment with either mirtazapine 2 0-60 mg/day or amitriptyline 75-225 mg/day. Results: mirtazapine and a mitriptyline were equally effective in reducing depressive symptoms, a s assessed by the 17-item HPRSD and MADRS scales. Mirtazapine was bett er tolerated than amitriptyline, with fewer drop-outs due to adverse e vents and lower incidences of adverse events both at the beginning and at the end of the trial. Conclusion: this study shows that mirtazapin e is as effective as amitriptyline in treating major depression, while at the same time better tolerated.