| SHORT COMMUNICATION |
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| Year : 2014 | Volume
: 46
| Issue : 4 | Page : 433-437 |
Clinical effectiveness and safety of escitalopram and desvenlafaxine in patients of depression with anxiety: A randomized, open-label controlled trial
Nabakumar Maity1, Malay Kumar Ghosal2, Anupam Gupta3, Amrita Sil1, Sushmita Chakraborty4, Suparna Chatterjee1
1 Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Postgraduate Education and Research, Kolkata, West Bengal, India
2 Department of Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatry, Kolkata, West Bengal, India
3 Department of Pharmacology, North Bengal Medical College, Siliguri, Darjeeling, West Bengal, India
4 Departrment of Pharmacology, Calcutta National Medical College, Kolkata, West Bengal, India
Correspondence Address:
Suparna Chatterjee
Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Postgraduate Education and Research, Kolkata, West Bengal
India
 Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None  | Check |
DOI: 10.4103/0253-7613.135959
Clinical trial registration CTRI/2012/08/002895
Aim : Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRI) are effective in treating anxiety disorders associated with major depressive disorder (MDD). This randomized, controlled, parallel-group, open-label, phase 4 trial (CTRI/2012/08/002895) was undertaken to compare the effectiveness and safety of desvenlafaxine versus escitalopram, a standard antidepressant.
Materials and Methods : Effectiveness was assessed using the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D 17 ) and Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A). Response to treatment was assessed by ≥50% decrease of baseline scores (responder rate). Safety and tolerability was evaluated by changes in routine laboratory parameters, vital signs, and adverse events reported by the subject and/or observed by the clinician.
Results: Responder rates for both HAM-A and HAM-D scores at 8 weeks were better in the escitalopram group compared to the desvenlafaxine group (HAM-A 76.92% vs. 71.05%; HAM-D 79.48% vs73.68%) but the differences were not statistically significant (P = 0.59 and P = 0.61). Within group changes of both scores, from baseline to subsequent visits in both treatment arms were statistically significant (P < 0.01).
Conclusion: The effectiveness of desvenlafaxine was comparable to escitalopram, but escitalopram was better tolerated.
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