A comparative double-blind trial of the new antidepressant caroxazone and amitriptyline.

On the grounds of pharmacological properties and preliminary clinical trials the efficacy of the new antidepressant caroxazone was compared to amitriptyline in the management of depression. Forty patients mostly suffering from a neurotic or anxious-neurotic depression were admitted to a double-blind trial. All patients completed the study. The Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression was used for the clinical assessment at the beginning, during and at the end of treatment. The trial lasted three weeks. A significant improvement was seen for both drugs after seven days on most symptom scores and on total symptom score. No significant differences were found either at seven days of at the end of treatment between the two drugs. There were no significant differences in the incidence and severity of side-effects. In conclusion, caroxazone appears as an effective and well tolerated drug in the treatment of depression.