Clinical Observation of Paroxetine Treatment in Patients with Post-stroke Depression

Objective To evaluate the effects and adverse effects of paroxetine in the treatment of post-stroke depression (PSD). Methods 42 cases of PSD patients were divided into two groups and treated with Paroxetine or Amitriptyline, respectively. A randomized double-blind controlled study was carried for 8 weeks to evaluate the effects and adverse effects by clinical tests, including Hamilton rating scale for depression (HAMD), clinical global impression scale severity of illness (CGI-SI) and treatment emergent symptom scale(TESS). Results There was a significant difference in the effective time between Paroxetine group (8.7±3.5)d and Amitriptyline group (12.2±7.6)d (P0.05), but there was no significance in the effective rates between two groups (P0.05). The adverse effects were slight and no need to be treated in the Paroxetine group. Conclusion The efficacy of Paroxetine was similar to that of amitriptyline, but the former acted more rapidly and with less adverse effect. Paroxetine was an effective and safe medication in PSD treatment.