Efficacy and Tolerability of Escitalopram and Duloxetine in Outpatients With Major Depressive Disorder

Major Depressive Disorder Clinical Trial

Official title: A Double-blind, Randomised, Multicenter, Comparative Study of Escitalopram and Duloxetine in Outpatients With Major Depressive Disorder

Status Completed

Clinical Trial Summary

The primary objective of this study was to compare the efficacy of escitalopram with that of duloxetine in outpatients with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) after 24 weeks of treatment. The study hypothesis was that there were clinically important differences between the two drugs in terms of efficacy and adverse event profiles.

Clinical Trial Description

Depression is a common mental disorder that presents with depressed mood, loss of interest or pleasure, disturbed sleep or appetite, low energy, feelings of guilt or low self-worth, and poor concentration. The lifetime prevalence of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) in community samples is 10-25% for women and 5-12% for men. Depression may become chronic or recurrent and lead to substantial impairments in an individual's ability to take care of his or her everyday responsibilities. At its worst, depression may lead to suicide. Depression is recurrent in 75-80% of patients and becomes chronic in 15-20% of depressed patients.

The selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) have become the leading class of antidepressants throughout the world. The efficacy and safety of SSRIs in the treatment of depression has been demonstrated in several clinical trials. With respect to safety, the studies show an advantage for the SSRIs over the older antidepressants. If the prescribing physicians are to make a well-founded judgement in their choice of drug factors like efficacy, safety, quality of life, and health economics must be taken into consideration. The primary aim of this study is to compare the efficacy of escitalopram with that of the serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) duloxetine in the treatment of MDD. ;

Study Design

Allocation: Randomized, Endpoint Classification: Safety/Efficacy Study, Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment, Masking: Double Blind (Subject, Investigator), Primary Purpose: Treatment

Related Conditions & MeSH terms

• Depression
• Depressive Disorder
• Depressive Disorder, Major
• Disease
• Major Depressive Disorder

• NCT number: NCT01148472
• Study type: Interventional
• Source: H. Lundbeck A/S
• Status: Completed
• Phase: Phase 4
• Start date: September 2005
• Completion date: November 2006