A comparative study of efficacy between duloxetine and venlafaxine in treatment of patients with major depressive disorder

Objective:To compare the efficacy and safety of duloxetine and venlafaxine in treatment of patients with major depressive disorder.Method:Seventy patients were randomized to either duloxetine 60 mg/d(n=35)or venlafaxine 150 mg/d(n=35)for a 6-week period treatment.The efficacy was measured with the hamilton rating scale for depression(HAMD,17-items),while the side effects were evaluated by treatment emergent symptom scale(TESS).Results:30 patients in duloxetine group and 33 in venlafaxine group completed 6-week study.The HAMD scores of both groups decreased significantly from the first weekend to the sixth weekend(P0.05).The response rates in duloxetine and venlafaxine group were 73.3%(22/30)and 78.8%(26/33)respectively at the sixth weekend,the remission rates were 53.3%(16/30)and 57.6%(19/33),which showed no statistical difference between the two groups(P0.05).The main adverse reactions of duloxetine were nausea,dry mouth,dizziness,headache and lack of appetite.The rate of nausea in duloxetine group was higher than in venlafaxine group(P0.05),and other adverse reactions showed no statistical difference between the two groups.Conclusion:Duloxetine is as effective as venlafaxine in treatment of patients with major depressive disorder,but with more symptom of nausea compared to venlafaxine.