Abstract
IntroductionThis study investigated if optimized dose regimens of escitalopram and bupropion combination from treatment initiation can be superior to either drug alone in speed of onset, remission rate, and maintenance of therapeutic efficacy.MethodsPatients from a single site (N=85) within a larger double-blind 12-week trial (N=245) showed a lower dropout rate (14% vs 40%) and used higher doses; therefore, this cohort was analyzed separately. Uniquely at this single site, after 12 weeks, non-remitters on a single drug received the other one in addition and combination non-remitters underwent a switch of escitalopram for duloxetine for a 6-week period. Escitalopram could be given up to 40 mg/day and bupropion up to 450 mg/day. A 6-month prolongation was then implemented in remitters, maintaining the double-blind design throughout. Remission was defined as ≤7 on the 17-item Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression, as in the initial publication.ResultsAt week 2, combination treatment was superior in remission rate (5/28) compared with both bupropion (0/26) and escitalopram monotherapies (0/31; P=0.03 and P=0.02, respectively). The week 12 remission rate of combination treatment showed a higher rate (15/28) relative to bupropion monotherapy (7/26; P=0.04), but not statistically different from escitalopram monotherapy (11/31; P=0.13). The 6-week augmentation produced remission in 7/21 monotherapy non-remitters and 0/6 in the switch group (P=0.13). Remission was sustained in 28/31 patients enrolled in the 6-month maintenance.ConclusionThese results suggest that combination of escitalopram and bupropion from treatment initiation is superior to either monotherapy in speed of onset. The addition of a second drug in non-remitters can lead to additional remissions, as shown with other combinations of medications. Treatment prolongation using optimized regimens leads to low relapse rates.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
