Lithium Versus Paroxetine in Major Depression

Major Depressive Disorder Clinical Trial

Official title: A Randomized, Open-label, Trial of Lithium Versus Paroxetine in Subjects With Major Depression Who Have a Family History of Bipolar Disorder or Completed Suicide

Status Completed

Clinical Trial Summary

This study is being done to look at how well people respond to two different drug treatments for depression. Clinically, people can respond differently to different treatments for reasons which are not always clear. Some research shows that people with a family history of bipolar disorder or completed suicide may react differently to standard medications used to treat depression than those without a family history. The investigators need to know if these drugs are effective to use in patients with depression who have a family history of bipolar disorder or completed suicide.

Clinical Trial Description

Lithium is a mood stabilizing drug that has been used to treat people with both bipolar disorder and depression for the last 50 years. It is available to the public by prescription in Canada and has been used by millions of people world wide. Paroxetine is an antidepressant drug that has been used to treat people with depression for the past 10 years. It is also available to the public by prescription in Canada and has been used by millions world wide.

Subjects who join the study, will be given one of the study drugs, either lithium or paroxetine.

Subjects will be randomized "like the flip of a coin" to receive either lithium or paroxetine.

The study drug will be taken once a day by mouth and the daily dose adjusted to find the right dose for the subject. The study drug will be taken for a 6-week period and subjects will be assessed by the research team on a weekly basis. ;

Related Conditions & MeSH terms

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

• NCT number: NCT01416220
• Study type: Interventional
• Source: Nova Scotia Health Authority
• Status: Completed
• Phase: Phase 4
• Start date: September 2011
• Completion date: February 2013