Publication:

A prospective study to compare the efficacy of vilazodone and escitalopram tablets in the treatment of patients with newly diagnosed major depressive disorder

Background With the availability of large number of anti-depressant drugs, a thorough knowledge of comparative efficacy of the commonly used antidepressants is necessary to prescribe best drug molecule to the patient. This improves the compliance and therapeutic outcome. The aim of the study is to compare the efficacy of vilazodone and escitalopram in the treatment of patients with newly diagnosed major depressive disorder in a prospective study.

Methods 200 patients attending the psychiatry out-patient department diagnosed with major depressive disorder were assessed and enrolled into vilazodone 40 mg and escitalopram 20 mg treatment groups. Hamilton depression rating scale score (HDRS) was used to assess the severity of depression disorder at regular intervals.

Results Maximum cases were in the 21-30 age group and minimum cases in above 60 years age group. Males contributed maximum to number of depression cases with respect to females in both the treatment groups. Both escitalopram and vilazodone therapy group showed onset of improvement   at the end of 1st week. The efficacy of both treatment arms in reducing HDRS is comparable till 2nd week of treatment, but at 6th month vilazodone was more efficacious than escitalopram therapy.

Conclusions Escitalopram tablet given once/twice daily is significantly effective in reducing HDRS score as early as 2nd week. At 6th month vilazodone tablet was more efficacious than escitalopram therapy. Vilazodone is safe with fewer adverse effects as compared to escitalopram.