Paroxetine in the treatment of melancholia and severe depression

Meta-analyses of the worldwide paroxetine database assessd the efficacy of this compound in the treatment of both DSM-III defined melancholia and hospitalised patients with severe depression (HAMD ≥ 25). The analysis for melancholia included 178 paroxetine treated patients and 66 patients treated with placebo. Paroxetine was significantly superior to placebo in the treatment of melancholia and a clear dose-response relationship was established. The meta-analysis for severely depressed hospitalised patients included 109 paroxetine treated patients and 107 patients treated with a tricyclic/tetracyclic control. Paroxetine and active controls showed comparable efficncy in the treatment of severely depressed hospitalised patients.