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The comparative antidepressant value of lofepramine and amitriptyline
Author(s) -
McClelland H. A.,
Kerr T. A.,
Stephens D. A.,
Howell R. W.
Publication year - 1979
Publication title -
acta psychiatrica scandinavica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.849
H-Index - 146
eISSN - 1600-0447
pISSN - 0001-690X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1600-0447.1979.tb03588.x
Subject(s) - amitriptyline , depression (economics) , rating scale , antidepressant , medicine , endogenous depression , clinical trial , randomized controlled trial , anesthesia , psychology , endogeny , developmental psychology , hippocampus , economics , macroeconomics
A double‐blind controlled trial comparing the antidepressant activity of amitriptyline with lofepramine is reported. Forty‐six patients entered the 4‐week trial. Analysis of the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale scores at the beginning and end of the trial showed no significant difference between the therapeutic efficacy of lofepramine and amitriptyline. However, patients with endogenous depression responded , significantly more rapidly lofepramine as measured by Visual analogue Scales and showed a significantly greater degree of clinical improvement after 4 weeks' treatment, as measured by Golbal Assessment. Adverse effects were similar in the two treatment groups. The use of rating scales in trials of depression was found to be a simple, useful and valid measure.