Efficacy and Tolerability of Generic Mirtazapine (Mirtax) for Major Depressive Disorder: Multicenter, Open-label, Uncontrolled, Prospective Study

Objective: Mirtax is a generic mirtazapine widely used since 2003. We conducted an open-label, uncontrolled 6-week study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Mirtax for major depressive disorder (MDD). Methods: Ninety three MDD patients with the diagnosis of MDD and 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS) score >= 14 were recruited. The HDRS, Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS), and the Clinical Global Impressions-Severity Scale (CGI-S) were administered at baseline, 1, 2, 4 and 6 weeks, Response (>= 50% decrease in the HDRS or MADRS score), remission (absolute HDRS score or MADRS score <= 10) and CGI-I score <= 2 were also calculated, Adverse event (AE) frequency and severity, weight, blood pressure, and pulse rate were checked to assess safety. Results: The starting dosage was 11.5+/-6.4 mg/day, and the maintenance dosage was 23.1+/-9.4 mg/day. During 6 weeks, HDRS, MADRS and CGI-S scores decreased from 25.1+/-5.6 to 11.9+/-8.6 (mean change -13.1+/-8.3, p<0.001), from 30.2+/-6.3 to 13.73+/-10.40 (mean change -16.5+/-9.8, p<0.001), and from 5.0+/-0.8 to 2.5+/-1.3 (mean change -2.5+/-1.3, p<0.001), respectively, The percentages of responders, remitters by HDRS and patients with a CGI-I score <= 2 were 64.6%, 35.4% and 52.7%, respectively. Significant decreases in HDRS, MADRS and CGI-S scores were confirmed at week 1, The total rate of AEs was 32.3%; the most frequently reported AEs were sedation (4.3%) and constipation (4,3%), Weight was increased from 58.8+/-10.6 to 60.3+/-9.3 kg (mean change 0.7+/-1.7 kg, p=0.004). Conclusion: This study, as the first clinical trial of generic mirtazapine, demonstrated the efficacy and tolerability of Mirtax for MDD using a single treatment design.