A STUDY COMPARING PAROXETINE PLACEBO AND IMIPRAMINE IN DEPRESSED-PATIENTS

These data provide evidence for the antidepressant efficacy of paroxet ine. Paroxetine- and imipramine-treated patients were significantly di fferent from placebo-treated patients, but little different to each ot her, on all depressive outcome measures. However, paroxetine appeared to have a possibly greater and earlier beneficial effect on anxiety sy mptoms associated with depression, when compared with imipramine. Both active therapies were effective in treating patients with severe depr ession. Side effects for paroxetine were typical of other serotonin (5 -HT) uptake inhibitors but different from those of imipramine. In part icular, anticholinergic and cardiovascular symptoms were reduced, and premature withdrawal less likely.