CITALOPRAM AND IMIPRAMINE IN THE TREATMENT OF DEPRESSIVE PATIENTS IN GENERAL-PRACTICE - A NORDIC MULTICENTER CLINICAL-STUDY

Two dose levels of citalopram, 10-30 mg and 20-60 mg, were compared wi th imipramine, 50-150 mg, in depressed patients treated in general pra ctice. This was a multicentre study carried out in Denmark, Sweden, No rway, and Finland. The duration of treatment was 6 weeks with an optio nal continuation phase of a further 16 weeks. The patients were assess ed by means of the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAMD), Clinic al Global Impressions (CGI), and a visual analogue self-rating scale f or depression. Observed and spontaneously reported adverse events were recorded. A total of 472 patients were entered into the study of 400 patients completed the 6 week trial period. A total of 297 patients co mpleted the optional 22 week double-blind period. A clear reduction of the HAMD total scores was seen in all three treatment groups with no significant differences between groups. A reduction of the HAMD anxiet y factor and sleep factor scores was also seen with no significant dif ferences between treatments. The imipramine-treated patients showed a higher frequency of adverse events, especially the anti-cholinergic ty pe, than citalopram-treated patients. Most patients entered into the c ontinuation phase remained well.