A control study of escitalopram versus citalopram in treatment of generalized anxiety disorder

AIM To compare the clinical efficacy and safety of escitalopram and citalopram in the treatment of generalized anxiety disorder.METHODS Eighty-nine patients with generalized anxiety disorder were divided into 2 groups:43 patients(M19,F24;age(38 ± s 12) year;medical course(14 ± 15) mo) were treated with escitalopram,10-20 mg,po,qd for 6 wk;and another 46 patients(M21,F25;age(40 ± 11) year;medical course(15 ± 16) mo) were treated with citalopram 20-40 mg,po,qd,all for 6 wk.The therapeutic effect and adverse reactions were measurred by HAMA,CG1-SI and TESS scores.RESULTS The marked significant effective rates of escitalopram group and citalopram group were 72% and 70% respectively in treating generalized anxiety disorder,with no significant difference between two groups(P﹥0.05) ,but significant difference in the HAMA score by the end of wk 1(P 0.05) .The adverse reactions were fewer in escitalopram group than those in citalopram group.CONCLUSION Escitalopram and citalopramare safe and effective for the treatment of generalized anxiety disorder,but escitalopram possesses more quickly response and less adverse reactions than citalopram.