Duloxetine versus venlafaxine in the treatment of unipolar and bipolar depression

Objectives Both duloxetine and venlafaxine are efficacious in treating patients with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), even though the advantages in treatment patients with bipolar disorder is unclear This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of duloxetine vs venlafaxine in the acute treatment of unipolar and bipolar depression Materials and Methods The study was a non randomized controlled trial The participants were 62 consecutive outpatients (41 men, 21 women) affected by unipolar and bipolar depression treated either with duloxetine and venlafaxine Results More patients treated with duloxetine had a positive response to treatment and remission both for depression (HAMD17 response 903% vs 00%, p<001 HAM-D17 remission 484% vs 00%, p<001), and anxiety (HAM-A response 903% vs 65%, p<001, HAM-A remission 71 0% vs 65%, p<001) than controls Patients treated with duloxetine were also more likely to show a decrease in HAM-D17 suicidality (100% vs 452%, p<001) and an increase in the quality of life (SF-36 percentage of improvement 6 35 [SD=9 66 vs -258 [998], p<001) than controls Conclusions Duloxetine is more effective in reducing anxiety and suicidal ideation Both treatments were safe and tolerated, and both may be successfully used in unipolar and bipolar depression Clin Ter 2010, 161(4) 321-327