Paxil CR™ Controlled-Release Tablets can be used to safely and effectively treat older Americans suffering from depression - paroxetine HCl - Clinical News in Brief - Brief Article

Drug Cost Management Report, Jan, 2003

* Paxil CR[TM] (paroxetine HCl) Controlled-Release Tablets can be used to safely and effectively treat older Americans suffering from depression, according to data presented at an annual meeting of psychiatrists in Puerto Rico Dec. 10, 2002. In a 12-week study involving 300 elderly patients, 86% of patients on Paxil CR responded to treatment, compared to 55% on placebo.

Paxil CR also showed a favorable tolerability profile with a low incidence of patient dropout due to adverse events, which may signal a better compliance rate for antidepressant regimens when taking Paxil CR. Compliance can often be low among the elderly, since they are often taking multiple medications. Depression is the most common psychiatric disorder among the elderly, affecting up to six million people, with only 10% of sufferers receiving treatment. It can be triggered by other chronic illnesses that are common in later life, including diabetes, stroke, heart disease, cancer, Parkinson's disease and arthritis. Information: Michael Fleming, GlaxoSmithKline, (215) 751-7074, www.gsk.com.