Fluoxetine versus trimipramine in the treatment of depression in geriatric patients.

Author(s): Wehmeier PM, Kluge M, Maras A, Riemann D, Berger M, Kohnen R, Dittmann RW, Gattaz WF

Affiliation(s): Lilly Deutschland, Bad Homburg, Germany.

Publication date & source: 2005-01, Pharmacopsychiatry., 38(1):13-6.

Publication type: Clinical Trial; Randomized Controlled Trial

INTRODUCTION: Fluoxetine, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), and trimipramine, a tricyclic antidepressant (TCA), were compared in terms of efficacy and tolerability in a six-week, parallel group, double-blind pilot study in 41 geriatric patients with major depression (61 - 85 years old). METHOD: The Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAMD-17), the Montgomery-Asberg Rating Scale (MADRS), the Adjective Mood Scale (Bf-S), the Clinical Global Impression (CGI), and the Patients Global Impression (PGI) were used to measure changes in depressive symptoms. RESULTS: Improvement with treatment was found on all scales. Efficacy and tolerability were similar in both groups. No statistically significant differences were found. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that fluoxetine and trimipramine are comparable in terms of efficacy and tolerability in the treatment of major depression in geriatric patients.