Comparison of escitalopram with fluoxetine in old depressive patients

XU Song-quan; CAO Jiang; HUANG Wen-wu

Abstract：Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of escitalopram in the treatment of old depressive patients. Methods: In a randomized, open-labeled, 6-weeks flexible dose trial, 60 patients diagnosed as old de-pression based on CCMD-3 criteria were randomly assigned to 2 groups, and treated with escitalopram 10～20 mg per day or fluoxetine 20～40 mg per day. Clinical effectiveness was evaluated by using HAMD, and adverse reac-tions were assessed with TESS. Meanwhile, several laboratory examinations such as blood routine, ECG, hepatic and nephritic function test were done at baseline, week 2 and 6. Results: The response rate and remission rate were 70.4% and 44.5% in escitalopram group, and 69.2% and 42.3% in fluoxetine group, respectively. No sta-tistically significant difference in both rates was found between 2 groups. At the end of 1-week, HAMD score signif-icantly decreased after treatment in escitalopram group but not in fluoxetine group, and significant difference existed between 2 groups (P<0.05). The main adverse reactions were lack of appetite, nausea, dizziness (3 cases in each group) ; dry mouth and palpitation (2 cases in each group) ; constipation and lethargy (1 case in each group). No statistically significant difference in adverse reactions between 2 groups. Conclusion: Escitalopram shows the efficacy more rapidly, while its efficacy and adverse reactions are similar to fluoxetine.