Comparative study of venlafaxine and sertraline in the treatment of epileptic depression

Objective To explore the efficacy,Safety and the main side effects between venlafaxine and sertraline in the treatment of epileptic depression.Methods Sixty four patients who met the criteria of CCMD-3 for epileptic depression were randomly divided into venlafaxine group and sertraline group.They were treated respectively with venlafaxine and sertraline.At the same time,they both were received routine antiepileptic drug for six weeks.Hamilton Depression Rating Scale(HAME).Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale(HAMA)and Treatment Emergent Symptom Scale(TESS)were used to evaluate curative effect and adverse reactions.Results The significant effective rates of venlafaxine group and sertraline group was 83.3% and 76.7% respectively,which no significantly difference between two groups.Two cases in sertraline group have an increased frequency of epilepsy seizure while venlafaxine have no effect on the frequency of epilepsy seizure.Conclusions Venlafaxine is a safe and effective antidepressant and could be used as a first-line antidepressant in the treatment of epileptic depression.