OBJECTIVETo comparatively observe the curative effect, adverse reaction and compliance of Modified Xiaoyao Pill combining amitriptyline (MXP-At) in treating patients with depression.

METHODSSixty-four patients with diagnosis of depression matched to the Chinese Classification of Mental Disorders (CCMD-3) were randomly assigned to 2 groups, the treatment group treated with MXP-At and the control group with fluoxeline, 32 cases in each group. The curative effect was evaluated by Hamilton depression (HAMD) scale and the adverse reaction was recorded before treatment and at the 2nd, 4th and 12th week of the treatment. Patients were regularly followed up from the 12th week to the 24 th week. The curative effect and compliance in the two groups were compared.

RESULTSThe HAMD score dropped in both groups from the 2nd week of the treatment, and at that time, it was lower in the control group than that in the treatment group (P < 0.05); but at the 4th week, no significant difference was found in the therapeutic effect and the HAMD score between the two groups. However, 3 and 14 cases in the treatment and the control group were relapsed during the 12 weeks of follow-up respectively.

CONCLUSIONMXP-At shows a curative effect similar to fluoxetine on depression but with less adverse reaction, and is not expensive.