Study of citalopram in treatment of patients with senile depression

Objective:To investigate the clinical efficacy and adverse reaction of citalopram in the treatment of patients with senile depression.Method:60 patients with senile depression were divided into two groups.The citalopram group of 30 patients was treatment with citalopram 20-40 mg/d.The amitriptyline group of 30 patients was treatment with amitriptyline 100-250 mg/d.All patients were observed for 6 weeks.The efficacy was evaluated by Hamilton depressive scale(HAMD),safety was evaluated by treatment emergant sympton scale(TESS) and laboratory examination.Results:After 6 weeks treatment,the significant improvement rate and response rate of citalopram group was 77% and 92% respectively.The significant improvement rate and response rate of amitriptyline group was 70% and 90% respectively.There were no significant differences between two groups.However the adverse reactions that occoured more often and severer with amitriptyline than citalopram. Conclusion:The results indicate that both citalopram and amitriptyline are effective in the treatment of patients with senile depression,but citalopram shows more advantages for its convenient administration and fewer adverse reaction.