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Therapeutics
Hypericum extract was better than placebo and equivalent to imipramine for moderate depression

http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/ebm.5.4.116

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    (1999) BMJ 319, 1534; Philipp M, Kohnen R, Hiller KO.. Hypericum extract versus imipramine or placebo in patients with moderate depression: randomised multicentre study of treatment for eight weeks.. Dec 11;. :. –9.
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 QUESTION: In patients with moderate depression, how do the effectiveness and safety of Hypericum extract (St John's wort) compare with those of imipramine and placebo?

    Design

    8 week randomised {allocation concealed*}†, blinded (clinicians and patients),* placebo controlled trial.

    Setting

    18 general practitioners' practices in Germany.

    Patients

    263 patients who were 18–65 years of age (mean age 47 y, 75% women) and had a diagnosis of moderate depression; score of ≥18 on the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS); clinical global impression rating of moderate, marked, or severe; and depression lasting ≥4 weeks and ≤ 2 years. Exclusion criteria included bipolar disorders, alcohol or drug dependence, or suicidal risk. 230 patients (87%) completed the …

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    Footnotes

    • Source of funding: Steiner Arzneimittel, Berlin, Germany.

    • For correspondence: Dr K O Hiller, Steiner Arzneimittel, D-12207 Berlin, Germany. Fax +49 30 712 5012.

    • Abstract also appears in Evidence-Based Mental Health.

    • ↵* See glossary.

    • ↵† Information provided by author.

    • ↵‡ p Values calculated from data in article.