A comparative study of duloxetine and clomipramine in the treatment of depression

Objective:To determine the efficacy and safety of duloxetine in the treatment of patients with depression. Methods:sixty patients who met the CCMD-3 criteria of major depression or bipolar disorder, depressed episode were treated with duloxetine or clomipramine for six weeks. The efficacy was assessed by Hamilton Depression Rating Scale(HAMD), Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA), Clinical Global Impression(CGI) and the side effects were assessed by Treatment Emergent Symptoms Scale(TESS).Results: The significant improvement rate of duloxetine was 80% and that of clomipramine was 76.67%, but there was no significant difference between the two groups. However, the reducing score of cognitive factor-subscale in duloxetine group was significant more than that in clomipramine group.The reducing score of HAMA in duloxetine group was less than that in clomipramine group, but there were no significant difference between the two groups.The side effects in duloxetine were less, and the main side effects were dizziness ,nausea, headache.Conclusions: Duloxetine is an effective antidepressant, with less side effects, and it takes effect rapidly.