A study comparing paroxetine placebo and imipramine in depressed patients

These data provide evidence for the antidepressant efficacy of paroxetine. Paroxetine- and imipramine-treated patients were significantly different from placebo-treated patients, but little different to each other, on all depressive outcome measures. However, paroxetine appeared to have a possibly greater and earlier beneficial effect on anxiety symptoms associated with depression, when compared with imipramine. Both active therapies were effective in treating patients with severe depression. Side effects for paroxetine were typical of other serotonin (5-HT) uptake inhibitors but different from those of imipramine. In particular, anticholinergic and cardiovascular symptoms were reduced, and premature withdrawal less likely.