A comparative study of venlafaxine and fluoxitine in the treatment of senile depression

Objective To compare the efficacy and side-effects of venlafaxine and fluoxetine in the treatment of Senile depression.Methods 62 cases of patients were randomly divided into two groups to receive venlafaxine and fluoxetine for 4 weeks.The efficacy were assessed by Hamilton Depression Scale(HAMD) before treatment and 1,2,4 weeks after treatment.Results Venlafaxine showed more rapid effects than fluoxetine after 1 and 2 weeks of the treatment,the scores of HAMD were lower than that of fluoxetine,which reduced significantly(P0.05).The total effective rates for venlafaxine and fluoxetine were 77.4% and 71.0% respectively after 4 weeks of the treatment,there were no significantly difference between the two groups(P0.05).The side effects of two groups were slight and have no differences.Conclusion Venlafaxine takes effect faster and has better effect and milder side efftects in patients with senile depression.