Comparative study of mirtazapine vs fluoxetine in treatment of elderly depressive patients

Objective:To compare the efficacy and safety of mirtazapine and fluoxetine in the treatment of elderly depressive patients. Method:Sixty elderly patients with depression were randomly divided into mirtazapine group or fluoxetine group for 6 weeks respectively.The efficacy and side effects were evaluated by Hamilton depressive scale(HAMD) and treatment emergent sympton scale(TESS). Results:The effective rates of mirtazapine and fluoxetine were 81.3% and 76.7% respectively,which was no significant difference between two groups.After six weeks of treatment,the scores of HAMD were significantly lower than before treatment in both groups.The scores of HAMD decreased significantly at the end of the first week in mirtazapine group,but did at the end of the fourth week in fluoxetine group.The incidence of somnolence was higher in mirtazapine group than in fluoxetine group,while the incidence of dry mouth,agrypnia,excitation or agitation was significantly higher in fluoxeline group than in mirtazapine group. Conclusion:Mirtazapine is a safe and effective drug in the treatment of geriatric depression.