Comparison of mirtazapine versus clomipramine in maintenance treatment of depression

Objective:To compare the efficacy of mirtazapine and clomipramine in the maintenance treatment of depression.Method:[WTBZ]Sixty depressive outpatients were randomly allocated to two groups treated with mirtazapine or clomipramine for 54 weeks. All the patients were assessed with Hamilton depression scale (HAMD), clinical global impression(CGI)and the treatment emergent symptom scale (TESS) before and after treatment for 12 weeks and 54 weeks.Results:After 12 weeks treatments,significant improvement was observed in both groups,but no significant difference was found between two groups.After 54 weeks,the efficacy was significantly better in mirtazapine group than in clomipramine group,however the adverse effects was much less in mirtazapine group than in clomipramine group.Conclusion:Mirtazapine has better efficacy and less adverse effects in the maintenance treatment of depression.