Comparing the Efficacy and Adverse Effects of Citalopram with Nortriptylinee in the Treatment of Major Depressive Disorder

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is one of the most common mental disorders all over the world. An effective treatment preserves an acceptable level of function in the affected patients. Different drugs are used in the treatment of MDD, and each of them has specific therapeutic and adverse effects. Recently, SSRI drugs are used in the treatment of this disorder, and yet there is not enough study about them. Thus, we decided to compare the effectiveness and adverse effects of Nortriptyline with that of Citalopram in MDD. In this double-blinded clinical trial, 80 MMD (DSM-IV-TR) patients, who that not any other mental, substance and organic disorders were selected. Samples were randomly assigned into two groups which were treated with Nortriptyline or Citalopram. Efficacy and adverse effects were evaluated at 2, 4, 6, 8 and 12 weeks after the treatment. Data were analyzed by SPSS software. Efficacy was similar in two groups, and no significant differences between the two groups were observed in the mean scores. The comparison of adverse effects between the two groups showed a significant difference in the hypersomnia, dry mouth, anorexia and nausea. There was not a significant difference between the two groups in the sexual dysfunction, insomnia headache, tremor, vertigo, obesity, diarrhea, vomiting and abdominal pain. Tricycles and SSRI drugs have an equal efficacy in the treatment of MDD. But they have different adverse effect profiles, thus they must be administrated with an attention to their adverse effects.