Shen Y, Zhao Q, Yu Y, Tan Y, Zhang H, Xu X, Wang Z, Li Y, Hu J, Zhong J, Li H. Efficacy and safety of bupropion hydrochloride extended-release versus escitalopram oxalate in Chinese patients with major depressive disorder: Results from a randomized, double-blind, non-inferiority trial.
J Affect Disord 2019;
257:143-149. [PMID:
31301615 DOI:
10.1016/j.jad.2019.07.023]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2019] [Revised: 05/29/2019] [Accepted: 07/04/2019] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND
This study evaluated the non-inferiority of bupropion extended-release (XL) compared to escitalopram for acute-phase treatment of Chinese patients with major depressive disorder (MDD).
METHODS
This randomized (1:1), double-blind, active-control study conducted between February 2015 and October 2016 included patients with MDD (DSM-IV) (N = 538). The treatment phase had three dose levels (level 1 [Week 1], level 2 [Week 2-4], and level 3 [Week 5-8]), which included either bupropion XL 150 mg, 300 mg, 300 mg or escitalopram 10 mg, 10 mg, 10-20 mg (once-daily), respectively. Primary outcome was mean change from baseline in Hamilton Depression Rating Scale-17 (HAMD-17) total score at Week 8.
RESULTS
Overall, 534 patients (bupropion XL, n = 266; escitalopram, n = 268) received at least one dose of study medication. The least square mean (standard error) change from baseline in HAMD-17 total score at Week 8 was -14.5 (0.41) in bupropion XL group and -15.4 (0.39) in escitalopram group (mean difference: 0.8 [-0.27, 1.94]). The response rate was 69.6% versus 72.9%, remission rate was 39.7% versus 47.2%, sustained response rate was 51.6% versus 56.3%, and sustained remission rate was 25.5% versus 28.6%, respectively, for bupropion XL versus escitalopram group. Adverse events were reported by 313 patients (bupropion XL, n = 157; escitalopram, n = 156); the most common on-treatment adverse event in both groups was nausea (10.5% versus 18.7%, respectively).
LIMITATIONS
A non-inferiority short-term (8 weeks) study without a placebo arm.
CONCLUSION
Results from this study demonstrated that the efficacy of bupropion XL was non-inferior to that of escitalopram in Chinese patients with MDD.
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