Comparative efficacy and safety of escitalopram versus desvenlafaxine in postmenopausal women with depression and anxiety: A randomized, open-label, comparative trial

Aims and Objectives: The aim was to evaluate the comparative efficacy and safety of escitalopram versus desvenlafaxine in postmenopausal women with depression and anxiety in our study cohort. Materials and Methods: A randomized, open-label, intention-to-treat, comparative study was conducted over a period of 1 year. Group 1 (n = 20) patients received tablet escitalopram 10 mg once daily orally which was increased to 20 mg/day when needed at the first follow-up. Group 2 (n = 20) patients received tablet desvenlafaxine 50 mg once daily orally which was increased to 100 mg/day when needed at the first follow-up. Patients were followed at 3 and 6 weeks. Primary endpoints were change in baseline scores (recorded as mean ± standard deviation) of Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D) and Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A), and safety was also assessed and compared. Results: Forty patients completed the study. Escitalopram was statistically better than desvenlafaxine in reducing depression after 6 weeks of treatment (P