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A double-blind multicentre study of paroxetine and amitriptyline in depressed outpatients. Italian Paroxetine Study Group.
Pharmax, Milan, Italy.
A comparative double-blind study of paroxetine and amitriptyline in the treatment of depressed hospital outpatients was undertaken at 15 centres in Italy. Three hundred and nine patients of either sex were admitted to the study. The starting dose of paroxetine was 20 mg daily and of amitriptyline 75 mg daily in divided doses; at week 3 these doses could be increased at the investigators' discretion. Efficacy was measured on the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale and on Clinical Global Impression. Both treatment groups showed significant improvement at week 6 with no significant between-group differences. Significantly fewer patients receiving paroxetine reported adverse events compared with those on amitriptyline (44% vs 62%; p < 0.01 in favour of paroxetine).
PMID: 1431009 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
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Cited by 3 PubMed Central articles
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Adverse effects associated with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and tricyclic antidepressants: a meta-analysis.
Trindade E, Menon D, Topfer LA, Coloma C.
CMAJ. 1998 Nov 17; 159(10):1245-52.
[CMAJ. 1998]
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Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors: meta-analysis of efficacy and acceptability.
Song F, Freemantle N, Sheldon TA, House A, Watson P, Long A, Mason J.
BMJ. 1993 Mar 13; 306(6879):683-7.
[BMJ. 1993]
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Treatment discontinuation with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors compared with tricyclic antidepressants: a meta-analysis.
Anderson IM, Tomenson BM.
BMJ. 1995 Jun 3; 310(6992):1433-8.
[BMJ. 1995]
Patient Drug Information
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Amitriptyline (Limbitrol® (as a combination product containing amitriptyline and chlordiazepoxide), Limbitrol® DS (as a combination product containing amitriptyline and chlordiazepoxide))
Amitriptyline is used to treat symptoms of depression. Amitriptyline is in a class of medications called tricyclic antidepressants. It works by increasing the amounts of certain natural substances in the brain that are n...
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Paroxetine (Paxil® , Paxil® CR, Pexeva® )
Paroxetine tablets, suspension (liquid), and extended-release (long-acting) tablets are used to treat depression, panic disorder (sudden, unexpected attacks of extreme fear and worry about these attacks), and social anxi...
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Bupropion (Wellbutrin, Wellbutrin, Wellbutrin XL, ...)
How do the newer antidepressants compare in treating depression?