Effect of nortriptyline and paroxetine on extrapyramidal signs and symptoms - A prospective double-blind study in depressed elderly patients

Selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and tricyclic antidepressan ts (TCAs) have been reported to induce extrapyramidal signs and symptoms (E PS). The authors examined the change from baseline EPS, measured by, an obj ective? rating scale, in a group of elderly depressed patients participatin g in an ongoing randomized double-blind comparison of nortriptyline and par oxetine. Mild baseline EPS were present in both groups After 6 weeks of ant idepressant treatment patients in the nortriptyline group showed a signific ant decrease in total EPS scores Patients in the paroxetine group showed a similar decrease in EPS from baseline which did not reach statistical signi ficance. There was no significant difference between nortriptyline and paro xetine in the change in EPS.