A 6-WEEK, DOUBLE-BLIND TRIAL OF PAROXETINE, IMIPRAMINE, AND PLACEBO IN DEPRESSED OUTPATIENTS

Paroxetine is a novel antidepressant that selectively inhibits neuronal reuptake of serotonin. Results are reported from a 6-week, double-blind trial of paroxetine, imipramine, and placebo in 120 outpatients with DSM-III major depression. Paroxetine was significantly superior to placebo on almost all measures. This included the main outcome variable, the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAM-D), and its factor scores, anxiety-somatization, cognitive disturbance, psychomotor retardation, and sleep disturbance. There were no significant differences between paroxetine and imipramine on the same scales. Imipramine-treated patients were significantly more likely than those taking placebo to report one or more adverse effects, which were predominantly anticholinergic in nature. There was no significant difference in the number of paroxetine and placebo patients who reported one or more adverse effects. The results of this and similar studies indicate that paroxetine is an effective treatment in major depression and has a favorable side effect profile.