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Double-blind comparison of venlafaxine and amitriptyline in outpatients with major depression with or without melancholia

Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Botucatu, Brazil, vgentil{at}usp.br

Florence Kerr-Correa

Universidade do Estado de São Paulo, Botucatu, Brazil

Ricardo Moreno

Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Botucatu, Brazil

Ellis D’Arrigo Busnello

Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre

João Alberto de Campos

Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia

Mario Francisco Juruena

Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre

Beny Lafer

Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Botucatu, Brazil

Doris Hupfeld Moreno

Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Botucatu, Brazil

Lucena de Cassia Rodrigues Rosa

Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia

Ana Tiosso

Universidade do Estado de São Paulo, Botucatu, Brazil

Eliana Benedictis

Laboratórios Wyeth, São Paulo, Brazil

The purpose of this study was to compare the efficacy and tolerability of venlafaxine and amitriptyline in outpatients with major depression with or without melancholia. This was an 8-week, multicentre, randomized, double-blind, parallel-group comparison of venlafaxine and amitriptyline. Outpatients with DSM-IV major depression, a minimum score of 20 on the 21-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM D), and depressive symptoms for at least 1 month were eligible. Patients were randomly assigned to venlafaxine or amitriptyline, both drugs titrated to a maximum of 150 mg/day until study day 15. The primary efficacy variables were the final on-therapy scores on the HAM-D, Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale and Clinical Global Impression severity scales. Data were evaluated on an intent-to-treat basis using the LOCF method. One hundred and 16 patients were randomized, and 115 were evaluated for efficacy. Both drugs showed efficacy in the treatment of depression with or without melancholia. No significant differences were noted between treatments for any efficacy parameter. However, significantly (p < 0.05) more patients in the amitriptyline group had at least one adverse event. These results should support the efficacy and tolerability of venlafaxine in comparison with amitriptyline for treating major depression with or without melancholia.

Journal of Psychopharmacology, Vol. 14, No. 1, 61-66 (2000)
DOI: 10.1177/026988110001400108


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