Control study of Duloxetine and Paroxetine in the treatment of depression

Objective:To study the efficacy and safety of Duloxetine in the treatment of depression. Methods:60 depressed patients were randomized into Duloxetine group (n = 30) and Paroxetine group (n =30) and studied for 6 week. HAMD and TESS were used to assess the efficacy and side effects before and 1st week, 2nd week, 4th week and 6th week after the treatmentResults: HAMD scores of Duloxetine group from 1 st week to 6th week decreased dramatically as compared to pretreatment, but HAMD scores of Paroxetine group from 2nd week to 6th week decreased dramatically as compared to pretreatment. The clinical recovery rate of Duloxetine group was significant higher than that of Paroxetine group. There were no significant differences of side effects between two groups. Conclusions: Duloxetine was significantly more effective than Paroxetine in improving depression. Duloxetine had few side effects and can be a first drug choice.