Efficacy and safety of escitalopram versus citalopram in major depressive disorder: a 6-week, multicenter, randomized, double-blind, flexible-dose study
- PMID:20340011
- DOI: 10.1007/s00213-010-1822-y
Efficacy and safety of escitalopram versus citalopram in major depressive disorder: a 6-week, multicenter, randomized, double-blind, flexible-dose study
Abstract
Rationale: S-citalopram (escitalopram) is the very active moiety of citalopram. It has been shown in many studies to be an effective and safe antidepressant for treating major depressive disorder (MDD).
Objective: The aim of our study was to compare the efficacy and safety of escitalopram vs citalopram in Chinese MDD patients.
Methods: In the double-blind study, 240 MDD patients were randomly assigned to treatment for 6 weeks either with escitalopram (10-20 mg/d) or citalopram (20-40 mg/d). The primary efficacy measurement was the change of 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD-17) total score from baseline to the end of study. The secondary efficacy measurements were response and remission rates. The adverse events (AEs) were recorded by the investigator.
Results: Two hundred and three (85%) patients completed the trial. The average dose was 13.9 mg/d in the escitalopram group and 27.6 mg/d in the citalopram group. No significant differences were found between the two groups in the change in HAMD-17 total score, response, and remission rate. These results were similar in severe MDD patients. No significant differences were found between the two groups in AEs. No serious AEs were observed in this study.
Conclusions: The study suggests that escitalopram 10-20 mg/d are as effective and safe as citalopram 20-40 mg/d in the short-term treatment for Chinese MDD patients.
Similar articles
- Do equivalent doses of escitalopram and citalopram have similar efficacy? A pooled analysis of two positive placebo-controlled studies in major depressive disorder.Lepola U, Wade A, Andersen HF.Lepola U, et al.Int Clin Psychopharmacol. 2004 May;19(3):149-55. doi: 10.1097/00004850-200405000-00005.Int Clin Psychopharmacol. 2004.PMID:15107657Clinical Trial.
- Efficacy and tolerability of escitalopram versus citalopram in major depressive disorder: a 6-week, multicenter, prospective, randomized, double-blind, active-controlled study in adult outpatients.Yevtushenko VY, Belous AI, Yevtushenko YG, Gusinin SE, Buzik OJ, Agibalova TV.Yevtushenko VY, et al.Clin Ther. 2007 Nov;29(11):2319-32. doi: 10.1016/j.clinthera.2007.11.014.Clin Ther. 2007.PMID:18158074Clinical Trial.
- Citalopram and escitalopram in the treatment of major depressive disorder: a pooled analysis of 3 clinical trials.Li H, Li T, Li G, Luo J.Li H, et al.Ann Clin Psychiatry. 2014 Nov;26(4):281-7.Ann Clin Psychiatry. 2014.PMID:25401715Clinical Trial.
- Escitalopram : a review of its use in the management of major depressive and anxiety disorders.Waugh J, Goa KL.Waugh J, et al.CNS Drugs. 2003;17(5):343-62. doi: 10.2165/00023210-200317050-00004.CNS Drugs. 2003.PMID:12665392Review.
- [Clinical efficacy and achievement of a complete remission in depression: increasing interest in treatment with escitalopram].Favré P.Favré P.Encephale. 2012 Feb;38(1):86-96. doi: 10.1016/j.encep.2011.11.003. Epub 2011 Dec 10.Encephale. 2012.PMID:22381728Review.French.
Cited by
- Escitalopram: a review of its use in the management of major depressive disorder in adults.Garnock-Jones KP, McCormack PL.Garnock-Jones KP, et al.CNS Drugs. 2010 Sep;24(9):769-96. doi: 10.2165/11204760-000000000-00000.CNS Drugs. 2010.PMID:20806989Review.
- Molecular profiling of the lateral habenula in a rat model of depression.Christensen T, Jensen L, Bouzinova EV, Wiborg O.Christensen T, et al.PLoS One. 2013 Dec 5;8(12):e80666. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0080666. eCollection 2013.PLoS One. 2013.PMID:24339877Free PMC article.
- Risks of Digestive System Side-Effects of Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors in Patients with Depression: A Network Meta-Analysis.Wang Z, Li H, Kang Y, Liu Y, Shan L, Wang F.Wang Z, et al.Ther Clin Risk Manag. 2022 Aug 13;18:799-812. doi: 10.2147/TCRM.S363404. eCollection 2022.Ther Clin Risk Manag. 2022.PMID:35992228Free PMC article.Review.
- Efficacy and safety of generic escitalopram versus Lexapro in the treatment of major depression: a multicenter double-blinded randomized controlled trial.Yu Y, Li H, Wang B, Li K, Xu X, Shi J, Gao C, Tan Q.Yu Y, et al.Shanghai Arch Psychiatry. 2013 Apr;25(2):107-15. doi: 10.3969/j.issn.1002-0829.2013.02.007.Shanghai Arch Psychiatry. 2013.PMID:24991142Free PMC article.
- Escitalopram versus other antidepressive agents for major depressive disorder: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Yin J, Song X, Wang C, Lin X, Miao M.Yin J, et al.BMC Psychiatry. 2023 Nov 24;23(1):876. doi: 10.1186/s12888-023-05382-8.BMC Psychiatry. 2023.PMID:38001423Free PMC article.
References
Publication types
MeSH terms
Substances
Related information
LinkOut - more resources
Full Text Sources