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Citalopram versus nortriptyline in late‐life depression: a 12‐week randomized single‐blind study

2001; Wiley; Volume: 103; Issue: 6 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1034/j.1600-0447.2001.00228.x

1600-0447

Vı́ctor Navarro, Cristòbal Gastó, Xavier Torres, T. Marcos, Luís Pintor,

Schizophrenia research and treatment

Objective: The aim of this single‐blind study was to examine the efficacy and tolerability of citalopram compared to nortriptyline in moderate to severe major depressive patients aged 60 years or over. Method: In‐ and out‐patients ( N =58) with unipolar major depression were randomized to 12‐week flexible dose treatment with nortriptyline or citalopram. Results: No significant differences between the number of drop‐outs in either group were observed, but the autonomic side‐effects were significantly higher for nortriptyline than for citalopram. A significantly higher remission rate to nortriptyline than to citalopram was demonstrated, particularly if severe patients (endogenous or psychotic patients) were assessed. Conclusion: The remission rate to a therapeutic plasma level of nortriptyline appears to be higher than the remission rate to a standard dose of citalopram in a group of elderly major depressed patients, especially those with endogenous or psychotic features. On the other hand, citalopram appears to be better tolerated.