A control study on venlafaxine and paroxetine in the treatment of first-episode depression

Objective:To evaluate therapeutic effect,quality of life and adverse effect of venlafaxine and paroxetine in the treatment of first-episode depression.Method:106 patients with first-episode depression were randomly divided into two groups for an 8-week treatment with venlafaxine or paroxetine.Hamilton rating scale of depression(HAMD),short form 36 health survey questionnaire(SF-36) and treatment emergent symptom scale(TESS) were performed to assess the treatment effects,life quality and adverse effects.Results:The score of HAMD in venlafaxine group was significantly lower than that in paroxetine group after 2-week treatment(P 0.05),although both of them significantly declined(P 0.01).After 8 weeks treatment,the scores of SF-36 have significantly increased(P 0.01),but they have no significant differences between two groups(P 0.05).Conclusion:Venlafaxine is an effective antidepressant in improvement of life quality quickly and specially in the treatment of major depressive disorders.