Comparative trial of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors in depression

ABSTRACT

To compare efficacy of sertaline and imipramine in depressed patients in 50mg twice-daily dose. Design: A comparative open trial of both drugs was carried out in 92 depressed patients attending as out patients. Setting: Out patients attending Department of Psychiatry, Jinnah Hospital, Lahore. 40 patients received sertaline and 52 received imipramine in 50mg twice-daily dose for 4 weeks. 33 patients in sertaline group and 40 patients in imipramine group completed the trial; 24 [72%] and 29 [72%] in each group showed improvement whereas 9 [27%] in sertaline and 11 [27%] in imipramine showed no change. Both sertaline and imipramine are effective in the treatment of depression