Fluoxetine Versus Trimipramine in the Treatment of Depression in Geriatric Patients

Introduction: Fluoxetine, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), and trimipramine, a tricyclic antidepressant (TCA), were compared in terms of efficacy and tolerability in a six-week, parallel group, double-blind pilot study in 41 geriatric patients with major depression (61 - 85 years old). Method: The Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAMD-17), the Montgomery-Asberg Rating Scale (MADRS), the Adjective Mood Scale (Bf-S), the Clinical Global Impression (CGI), and the Patients Global Impression (PGI) were used to measure changes in depressive symptoms. Results: Improvement with treatment was found on all scales. Efficacy and tolerability were similar in both groups. No statistically significant differences were found. Conclusion: These findings suggest that fluoxetine and trimipramine are comparable in terms of efficacy and tolerability in the treatment of major depression in geriatric patients.

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