Two advanced cancer patients in whom escitalopram was useful for depression
10.2512/jspm.8.548
- VernacularTitle:進行がん患者のうつ病に対してエスシタロプラムが有効であった2症例
- Author:
Shinichiro Nakajima
;
Hitoshi Tanimukai
;
Mika Baba
;
Koji Amano
;
Muneyoshi Kawasaki
;
Hiroshi Wakayama
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
advanced cancer patients;
depression;
escitalopram
- From:Palliative Care Research
2013;8(2):548-553
- CountryJapan
- Language:Japanese
-
Abstract:
Purpose: Escitalopram has been inadequately evaluated in cancer patients. Here, we report two patients with advanced cancer who benefited from escitalopram for depression. Case 1: A man aged in his 50s had postoperative recurrence of rectal cancer. He was diagnosed with a major depressive episode according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV-TR). The score of the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAMD-17) was 20 points. He began treatment with 10 mg/day of escitalopram. His symptoms began to improve at about 14 days, and the HAMD-17 score was 4 points at 23 days, suggesting a marked improvement. Case 2: A woman aged in her 50s had cancer of the external auditory canal. She was diagnosed with a major depressive episode according to DSM-IV-TR. The score of HAMD-17 was 26 points. She began treatment with 10 mg/day of escitalopram. Her symptoms began to improve at 15 days, and the HAMD-17 score at 28 days was 13 points, suggesting a marked improvement. In both cases, serious side effects, clear exacerbation of depression, and withdrawal syndrome due to acute drug deprivation associated with worsening of the symptoms were not noted. Conclusion: Escitalopram is considered a useful drug for depression in patients with advanced cancer.
