Fluvoxamine and imipramine: results of a long-term controlled trial

Following a multicentre double-blind controlled trial comparing the effects of fluvoxamine and imipramine in depressed inpatients (M.D.E.) 39 patients continued on longer term treatment with maintenance of double-blind conditions (17 on fluvoxamine, 22 on imipramine). The results regarding the reasons for premature interruption of treatment show a slight advantage in favour of fluvoxamine. There were several significant differences in favour of fluvoxamine at the 20th week. The most common side-effects were hot flushes with imipramine and dizziness with fluvoxamine. Overall, despite the small number of patients, the results show a greater clinical tolerance to fluvoxamine than to imipramine.