COMPARATIVE ANTI-DEPRESSANT VALUE OF LOFEPRAMINE AND AMITRIPTYLINE - RESULTS OF A CONTROLLED TRIAL WITH COMMENTS ON THE SCALES USED

A double‐blind controlled trial comparing the antidepressant activity of amitriptyline with lofepramine is reported. Forty‐six patients entered the 4‐week trial. Analysis of the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale scores at the beginning and end of the trial showed no significant difference between the therapeutic efficacy of lofepramine and amitriptyline. However, patients with endogenous depression responded, significantly more rapidly lofepramine as measured by Visual analogue Scales and showed a significantly greater degree of clinical improvement after 4 weeks' treatment, as measured by Golbal Assessment. Adverse effects were similar in the two treatment groups. The use of rating scales in trials of depression was found to be a simple, useful and valid measure. Copyright © 1979, Wiley Blackwell. All rights reserved