Comparative Trial of Nortriptyline and Amitriptyline in 100 Depressed Patients

A double-blind trial was conducted on 100 depressed patients using amitriptyline and its derivative, nortriptyline. Scores obtained on the Hamilton Depression Scale were used as an index of change. Patients treated with nortriptyline responded significantly more rapidly than patients treated with amitriptyline, but there was no difference in response to the two drugs after six weeks of treatment.