Clinical effects of escitalopram in the treatment of senile depression

Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of escitalopram in the treatment of senile depression.Methods A total of 90 patients with depression were randomly divided into escitalopram and sertraline and venlafaxine groups,30 cases in each group,respectively.The duration of the treatment was 8 weeks with escitalopram and sertraline and venlafaxine.The efficacy of drugs were evaluated by Hamilton Depression Rating Scale(HAMD) before and after treatment in 1,2,4,6 and 8 weeks.The adverse drug reactions(ADR) were evaluated by treatment emergent symptom(TESS).Results The score of HAMD were decreased significantly at the time 1,2,4,6,8 weeks after treatment in the three groups,in order to sort: escitalopram venlafaxine sertraline(P 0.01).The ADR in escitalopram and sertraline groups were less than the venlafaxine group.But compared the ADR in the escitalopram and sertraline groups at the time 1,6 weeks after treatment,the difference was not significantly.The confidant of ADR in escitalopram was more less than in venlafaxine(P ﹤ 0.01).Conclusion The curative effect of escitalopram in the treatment of senile depression had a good compliance,advantages of quick response,fewer adverse reactions.