Fluoxetine vs amitriptyline in treating 105 patients with depressive disorder with a double-blind study

AIM: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of domestic fluoxetine in treating depressive disorder. METHODS: This was a randomized double-blind comparative multicenter study. Fifty-seven patients (M 22, F 35, age 40±s 13 a) with depressive disorder were treated with fluoxetine 20 mg, po, qd for 6 wk. Another 57 patients (M 27, F 30, age 40±14 a) were treated with amitriptyline 75 mg, po, bid for 6 wk. RESULTS: The antidepressant efficacy of domestic fluoxetine was the same as that of amitriptyline. 85% of fluoxetine treated patients and 92% of amitriptyline treated patients got a good response. The main side effects of fluoxetine were dry mouth, constipation, nausea and tachycardia, less than that of amitriptyline. CONCLUSION: Domestic fluoxetine is a new antidepressant with the same efficacy as that of amitriptyline.