Mirtazapine in the Treatment of Depression Associated with Anxiety

Objective To assess the therapeutic effectiveness and safety rate of mirtazapine in the treatment of patients with depression associated with anxiety. Methods 60 patients with depression associated with anxiety were divided into two groups, the treatment group and the control group. 29 patients of the treatment group were given each 15-45 mg of mirtazapine, PO, q.n.,31 patients of the control group were given each 100-200 mg·d~(-1) of amitriptyline, PO, t.i.d.. The course of treatment in both groups lasted 6 weeks. The therapeutic effectiveness was assessed with the Hamilton Depressive Scale(HAMD) and the Hamilton Anxiety Scale(HAMA) while adverse reactions were appraised with the Treatment Emergent Symptom Scale(TESS). Results The rates of excellent therapeutic effect in patients of the treatment group and control group in the management of the depression symptoms were 72.4% and 71.0%, respectively(P0.05), while those in patients of the treatment group and control group in coping with the anxiety symptoms were 79.3% and 51.6% ,respectively(P0.01). Mirtazapine started to act early in the 1~(st) week of treatment in patients of the treatment group. while amitriptyline began to act one week later in patients of the control group. Adverse reactions in patients of the treatment group were less common and more trifling than those in patients of the control group. The main adverse reactions in patients of the treatment group included xerostomia, somnolence, increased body weight, gastrointestinal discomfort etc.. Conclusion Mirtazapine was shown to have good therapeutic effect in the treatment of depression associated with anxiety. It started to act quickly and was superior to amitriptyline in the management of anxiety symptoms.