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Efficacy and safety of escitalopram versus citalopram in major depressive disorder: a 6-week, multicenter, randomized, double-blind, flexible-dose study

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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.

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Acknowledgements

This study was funded by the National institutes of Pharmaceutical Research and Development Co., Ltd., and all drugs were provided by the company. The sponsor’s only role was in the design and monitoring. The company had no further role in data collection, analysis, and interpretation or writing of this paper, or in the decision to submit the paper for publication.

Conflict of interest

All authors declared no conflict of interest.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Mental Health Institute of The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, 139# Renmin Middle Road, Changsha, 410011, Hunan, China

    Jian-Jun Ou, Guang-Lei Xun, Ren-Rong Wu, Le-Hua Li, Mao-Sheng Fang & Jing-Ping Zhao

  2. Wu’han Mental Health Center, Wu’han, Hubei, China

    Mao-Sheng Fang

  3. Hunan Provincial Brain Hospital, Changsha, Hunan, China

    Hong-Geng Zhang

  4. Nanjing Brain Hospital, Nanjing, Jiangshu, China

    Shi-Ping Xie

  5. Xi’an Mental Health Center, Xi’an, Shanxi, China

    Jian-Guo Shi

  6. Hebei Mental Health Center, Baoding, Hebei, China

    Bo Du

  7. National institutes of pharmaceutical Research and Development Co., Ltd., Beijing, China

    Xue-Qin Yuan

Authors
  1. Jian-Jun Ou
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  2. Guang-Lei Xun
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  8. Jian-Guo Shi
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  11. Jing-Ping Zhao
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Jing-Ping Zhao.

Additional information

Jian-Jun Ou and Guang-Lei Xun contributed equally to this work.

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Ou, JJ., Xun, GL., Wu, RR. et al. Efficacy and safety of escitalopram versus citalopram in major depressive disorder: a 6-week, multicenter, randomized, double-blind, flexible-dose study. Psychopharmacology 213, 639–646 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00213-010-1822-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00213-010-1822-y

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