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Effectiveness and acceptability of sertraline and citalopram in major depressive disorder: pragmatic randomized open‐label comparison
Author(s) -
Matreja Prithpal S.,
Badyal Dinesh K.,
Khosla Prem,
Deswal Randhir S.
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
human psychopharmacology: clinical and experimental
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.461
H-Index - 78
eISSN - 1099-1077
pISSN - 0885-6222
DOI - 10.1002/hup.864
Subject(s) - citalopram , sertraline , tolerability , major depressive disorder , serotonin reuptake inhibitor , psychology , randomized controlled trial , rating scale , medicine , reuptake inhibitor , adverse effect , psychiatry , antidepressant , mood , developmental psychology , anxiety
Objective Citalopram and sertraline are widely prescribed selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). There is no conclusive evidence to show superiority of citalopram or sertraline in terms of efficacy or tolerability. Hence this study was designed to compare short term efficacy and safety of citalopram and sertraline in major depressive disorder (MDD) in Indian patients. Methods In an open, randomized study, 100 patients were divided into two groups. In Group A ( n = 50) patients received citalopram (20–60 mg/day) for 6 weeks. In Group B ( n = 50) patients received sertraline (50–150 mg/day) for 6 weeks. Patients were evaluated at baseline and then at 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 weeks. Results There was significant improvement in Hamilton depression rating scale (HDRS), Montgomery and Asberg depression rating scale (MADRS) and Amritsar depressive inventory (ADI) scores ( p < 0.05) with both the drugs. However, the decrease in score was more with citalopram ( p < 0.05). Onset of action of citalopram was earlier as compared to sertraline ( p < 0.05). The number of responders and remitters was also more with citalopram ( p < 0.05). No serious adverse event was reported in either of the groups. Conclusion Citalopram had shown better efficacy, earlier onset of action and more number of responders and remitters as compared to sertraline in MDD in Indian patients. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.