A Comparison of Sertraline Versus Venlafaxine XR in the Treatment of Major Depression

• Drug: sertraline
  
  Flexibly-titrated 50 mg tablets, 50-150 mg/day and venlafaxine placebo orally for 10 weeks.
  Other Name: Zoloft
• Drug: venlafaxine XR
  
  Flexibly-titrated 75 mg capsules, 75-225mg/day and sertraline placebo orally for 10 weeks.

• Experimental: Sertaline group
  
  Intervention: Drug: sertraline
• Active Comparator: Venlafaxine group
  
  Intervention: Drug: venlafaxine XR

Inclusion Criteria:

• Primary diagnosis of DSM-IV Major Depressive Disorder, single episode or recurrent, without psychotic features. Additional DSM-IV Axis I diagnoses will be permitted only if they are identified as secondary diagnoses.
• Hamilton-Depression rating scale (HAM-D; 17 item) total score ?18 and HAMD item 1 (depressed mood) score ?2.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Use of an antidepressant within 2 weeks of baseline (4 weeks for fluoxetine)
• Current or past diagnosis of bipolar disorder or any psychotic disorder.