1Department of Pharmacology, MMIMSR, Mullana (Ambala), Haryana, India
2Department of Psychiatry, MMIMSR, Mullana (Ambala), Haryana, India
To compare the therapeutic efficacy and side-effects profile of Venlafaxine and Milnacipran in patients of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD).
We evaluated sixty patients meeting the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-Fourth Edition-Text Revision (DSM-IV-TR) criteria for MDD in an open, randomized, parallel group study comparing milnacipran and venlafaxine. Patients were given the drugs orally up to a maximum dose of 150 mg daily. Vital signs, Montgomery Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS), Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS) and Clinical Global Impression (CGI) Scales and adverse-effects were recorded at weeks 0, 1, 2, 4, 6, 8. Response and remission rates were evaluated according to the criteria used in the study.
Patients were randomized into two groups of 30 each and were given either tab venlafaxine or tab milnacipran according to their group allocation for 8 weeks. Evaluations were performed at baseline (0 week), 1, 2, 4, 6, and 8 weeks. At each visit vital signs, MADRS, HDRS and CGI Scales and adverse-effects were recorded.
Significant clinical and statistical improvement in signs and symptoms from baseline were observed. Responses and remissions were higher in Group B but no statistically significant difference was observed between two groups.
The overall efficacy and safety of milnacipran and venlafaxine were similar in the patients of MDD. Minor adverse effects were reported by patients of both the groups but did not warrant discontinuation of the therapy.
Major depressive disorder, Milnacipran, Venlafaxine
