Paroxetine and amitriptyline in the treatment of depression in general practice

Christiansen PE, Behnke K, Black CH, Öhrström JK, Bork-Rasmussen H, Nilsson J. Paroxetine and amitriptyline in the treatment of depression in general practice. Acta Psychiatr Scand 1996: 93: 158–163. © Munksgaard 1996. A total of 144 outpatients in general practice in Denmark, aged 18–65 years and diagnosed as suffering from depression with a HAMD-17 score of 15 or more, were included in this 8-week double-blind, randomised, multicentre, controlled, parallel group comparison of paroxetine versus amitriptyline. The purpose of the study was primarily to evaluate efficacy and tolerance of treatment. In addition, focus was added on weight change and subjective well-being. The efficacy results showed equal effect of both drugs. However, paroxetine was tolerated better than amitriptyline, and this difference reached the level of significance when four non-evaluable patients were taken out of the analysis. Moreover, there was a significant weight increase in the amitriptyline group and no significant weight change in the paroxetine group. There was no difference between the groups as regards subjective well-being as measured by the VAS. In conclusion, paroxetine is an effective and well-tolerated antidepressant, and well-suited for the treatment of depression in general practice.