A clinical comparative study of citalopram augmented with aripiprzole on depression

Abstract

Objective To explore the efficacy of low-dose aripiprazole combining with citalopram on the depression. Methods A total 57 patients with depression were randomly assigned to the study group and the control group. Either group was treated with a fixed dose 20 mg citalopram per day, and the study group was simultaneously titrated to low dose (5～10mg/d) of aripiprazole at initiating dose 2.5 mg per day within two weeks. They were evaluated with Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD).Clinical Global Impression (CGI-SI) and Treatment Emergent Symptom Scale(TESS) before treatment and at the end of 1st, 2nd, 4th and 6th week after treatment. The study lasted for 6 weeks. Results HAMD total score of either group were 11.54 ± 5.58 and 16.59 ± 6.67 respectively, which had statistically significant difference between two groups(t = 2.961, P 0.05). TESS scores were not statistically significant difference between two groups at each point of measure. Conclusion The results suggest low dose of aripiprazole augmentation of citalopram may be effective and safe in the treatment of depression. Key words: Depression; Citalopram; Aripiprazole