Mirtazapine orally disintegrating tablet versus
sertraline: a prospective onset of action study
by
Behnke K, Sogaard J, Martin S, Bauml J,
Ravindran AV, Agren H, Vester-Blokland ED.
*Falkoner Alle, Frederiksberg, The Netherlands.
J Clin Psychopharmacol. 2003 Aug;23(4):358-64

ABSTRACT

This multinational, randomized, double-blind study was specifically designed to prospectively compare the onset of antidepressant efficacy of mirtazapine orally disintegrating tablets and sertraline at dosages commonly used in clinical practice. A total of 345 patients with major depressive episode (DSM-IV) received mirtazapine (30-45 mg/d) or sertraline (50-150 mg/d) for 8 weeks. Mirtazapine was administered in the newly developed fast dissolving, orally disintegrating tablet formulation. Assessments were performed at baseline and on days 4, 7, 10, 14, 28, 42, and 56. The primary efficacy variable (mean absolute change from baseline in the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale [HAMD] total score [17 items]) showed that mirtazapine was significantly (P < 0.05) more effective than sertraline at all assessments during the first 2 weeks of the study. After this time, HAMD total scores were similar in both groups. These findings were supported by analysis of the HAMD response rate (ie, >/=50% reduction in HAMD total score from baseline), HAMD remission rate (HAMD total score of < / =7), and the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS). Both treatments were well tolerated. In addition, mirtazapine had a greater effect than sertraline on sexual functioning. In conclusion, this first prospective onset of action study using the orally disintegrating tablet indicates that mirtazapine has a faster onset of therapeutic effect than sertraline. The orally disintegrating tablet formulation of mirtazapine used in this study is known to enhance the convenience and compliance by the patient.

Sertraline
Mirtazapine
Nefazodone
Antidepressants
Alpha2 antagonism
Mirtazapine v SSRIs
Mirtazapine and memory
Mirtazapine v imipramine
Mirtazapine: clinical profile
Mirtazapine and depression
Antidepressant mechanisms
Mirtazapine and the receptors
Mirtazapine: pharmacokinetics
Mirtazapine: adverse side-effects
Mirtazapine: GH, prolactin, and cortisol secretion
Does early improvement predict later stable response?

Refs
and further reading

HOME
HedWeb
Nootropics
cocaine.wiki
Future Opioids
BLTC Research
MDMA/Ecstasy
Superhapiness?
Utopian Surgery?
The Abolitionist Project
The Hedonistic Imperative
The Reproductive Revolution
Critique of Huxley's Brave New World

The Good Drug Guide
The Responsible Parent's Guide
To Healthy Mood Boosters For All The Family