Comparative Evaluation of the Efficacy and Side Effects of Imipramine, Sertraline and an Ayurvedic Formulation in Patients of Depression
220-225
Correspondence
Jyotsna Bhargava
Associate Professor, Dept. of Pharmacology, SMS Medical
College, Jaipur (Rajasthan), India.
Phone: 09829506847
E-mail: drjyotsna2003@yahoo.com
Background: Anti-depressant drugs which are used in the Allopathic system of medicine for the treatment of depression have side effects. Studies which have compared the efficacy and the side effects of Allopathic and Ayurvedic drugs in the treatment of depression have not been reported.
Aims: The aim of the present study was to compare the efficacy and the side effects of imipramine and sertraline which are the commonly prescribed drugs in the Allopathic system of medicine for the treatment of depression, with an Ayurvedic formulation.
Settings and Design: This study was an open labeled randomized clinical trial which involved 90 depressive patients who were divided into three groups of 30 each, for the administration of imipramine, sertraline, and an Ayurvedic formulation respectively. HAM-D scoring was done and a side effect checklist was also prepared.
Materials and Methods: The Ayurvedic formulation consisted of aqueous extracts of Brahmi, Shankhpuship, Malkangni and Jatamansi which were mixed in equal proportions (250 mg each). The Ayurvedic formulation was administered at a dose of 1000 mg orally in two divided doses; and imipramine and sertraline were administered at a dose of 150 mg each per day, to separate the groups of patients. The persons who abided by the inclusion and exclusion criteria were selected randomly. The effect of the treatments on the treated patients was repeatedly assessed at a continuous interval of two weeks for three months.
Results: The Ayurvedic formulation had negligible side effects and it was found to be effective at par with imipramine and sertraline at the end of three months.
Conclusions: The Ayurvedic formulation was found to be better as compared to imipramine and sertraline for the treatment of patients with mild to moderate depression, due to its lesser side effects.