Abstract

Background: Depression is a considerable global public health problem and is a major cause of disability and premature death. It results in poor quality of life in patients and caregivers.
Objective: The present study was conducted to compare efficacy and safety of amisulpride and escitalopram, using Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D) among depression patients in a tertiary care teaching hospital in Nepal. Material and Methods: This study was conducted in the Department of Neuropsychiatry, Nepalganj Medical College, a tertiary care teaching hospital in Nepal, for a period of 1 year. A total of 117 depression patients were randomly selected and divided into two groups. Group I (58 patients) received amisulpride 50 mg/day orally and Group II (59 patients) were given escitalopram 10 mg/day orally. The patients were followed up at 4, 8, and 15 weeks. The efficacy of the drugs was calculated by HAM-D. Adverse drug reactions were monitored at every follow-up. GraphPad Instat, version 3.0, tool was used for statistical analysis and p-value <0.05 was considered significant.
Results: HAM-D score in the group receiving amisulpride at 0 and 15 weeks was 16.92 ± 0.35 and 7.87 ± 0.29 (p < 0.0001). HAM-D score in group receiving escitalopram at 0 and 15 weeks was 17.09 ± 0.39 and 6.63 ± 0.39 (p < 0.0001). Intergroup comparison at 15 weeks was more significant for escitalopram ( p < 0.05). Gastrointestinal disturbances, sexual disturbances, amenorrhoea lactation, agitation and insomnia were the commonly encountered adverse drug reactions. Conclusion: The present study showed both amisulpride and escitalopram were highly effective in improving the HAM-D score and in the treatment of depression. But intergroup comparison showed greater reduction in HAM-D score in patients receiving escitalopram.