Efficacy of Escitalopram in the treatment of major depressive disorders with anxiety symptoms

Objective The objective of this study was to assess the efficacy and tolerability of escitalopram 10 to 20 mg/d for treating the patients of major depressive disorders with anxiety.Methods This is an open-label,multicentre,flexible-dose(10~20 mg/d) and 6 weeks treatment clinical trial.Outpatients and inpatients were enrolled to accept escitalopram treatment for 6 weeks if they met with the CCMD-3 criteria of depressive episode and had a baseline Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression(HAMD) score of ≥17 and a Hamilton Rating Scale for Anxiety(HAMA) score of≥14.The efficacy was assessed with HAMD、HAMA and CGI at the end of baseline and 1,2,4,6 weeks after treatment,while safety was estimated with adverse event rating scale,laboratory and physical examination.Results The HAMD scores,HAMA scores and CGI-SI scores had significant reduction during 6 weeks escitalopram treatment.The response rate and remission rate were 81.1% and 63.9% respectively.The adverse drug reactions such as nausea and other gastrointestinal discomfort were tolerated.Conclusion Escitalopram has positive effectiveness in major depressive with anxiety disorders.