A randomized, double-blind, duloxetine-referenced study comparing efficacy and tolerability of 2 fixed doses of vortioxetine in the acute treatment of adults with MDD

Abstract

RationaleVortioxetine has reduced depressive symptoms in adults with major depressive disorder (MDD) in multiple clinical trials.ObjectivesThe aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of vortioxetine 15 and 20 mg vs placebo in adults with MDD.MethodsPatients were randomized 1:1:1:1 to vortioxetine 15 mg, vortioxetine 20 mg, duloxetine 60 mg (active reference), or placebo. The primary efficacy endpoint was mean change in Montgomery–Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) total score at week 8 (MMRM). Safety/tolerability assessments included physical examinations, vital signs, laboratory evaluations, electrocardiograms, adverse events (AEs), Columbia–Suicide Severity Rating Scale, Arizona Sexual Experiences Scale, and Discontinuation–Emergent Signs and Symptoms checklist.ResultsSix hundred and fourteen patients were randomized. Mean changes in MADRS scores were −12.83 (±0.834), −14.30 (±0.890), −15.57 (±0.880), and −16.90 (±0.884) for placebo, vortioxetine 15 mg (P = .224), vortioxetine 20 mg (P = .023), and duloxetine 60 mg (P < .001) (P vs placebo), respectively. AEs reported by ≥5 % of vortioxetine patients included nausea, headache, diarrhea, dizziness, dry mouth, constipation, vomiting, insomnia, fatigue, and upper respiratory infection. Treatment-emergent sexual dysfunction, suicidal ideation or behavior, and discontinuation symptoms were not significantly different between vortioxetine and placebo.ConclusionsVortioxetine 20 mg significantly reduced MADRS total scores after 8 weeks of treatment. Both vortioxetine doses were well tolerated.Clinical trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT01153009; www.clinicaltrials.gov/.

The effect of vortioxetine on overall patient functioning in patients with major depressive disorder

“…In the current analysis, functional remission (SDS total score ≤6) at week 6/8 was 25.5%, 30.4%, 30.9%, and 31.2% for vortioxetine 5, 10, 15, and 20 mg, respectively. Symptomatic remission rates (MADRS total score ≤10) at these doses in the individual studies ranged from 28.8% to 36.0% for vortioxetine 5 mg, 21.4%–36.0% for vortioxetine 10 mg, 23.9%–34.9% for vortioxetine 15 mg, and 29.3%–38.4% for vortioxetine 20 mg, respectively (Baldwin et al., 2012; Boulenger et al., 2014; Henigsberg et al., 2012; Jacobsen et al., 2015; Jain et al., 2013; Mahableshwarkar, Jacobsen, Chen, et al., 2015; Mahableshwarkar, Jacobsen, Serenko, et al., 2015; Mahableshwarkar et al., 2013). …”

“…Additionally, vortioxetine 10 mg daily demonstrated clinically significant benefits on all aspects of functioning (SDS single‐item scores) in the total population as well as on overall functioning (SDS total score) in patients with severe MDD and/or significant functional impairment or high anxiety symptoms at baseline. These findings are consistent with the results of the individual studies, where vortioxetine administration was associated with improvements in patient functioning as well as in depressive symptoms (Baldwin et al., 2012; Boulenger et al., 2014; Henigsberg et al., 2012; Jacobsen et al., 2015; Jain et al., 2013; Mahableshwarkar, Jacobsen, Chen, et al., 2015; Mahableshwarkar, Jacobsen, Serenko, et al., 2015; Mahableshwarkar et al., 2013; Takeda, 2013). …”

“…Thus, data from nine short‐term (6/8 weeks) multicenter, double‐blind, randomized, placebo‐controlled, parallel‐group, fixed‐dose clinical studies of vortioxetine conducted in adults (aged 18–75 years) with MDD were analyzed. The details of the study design and the results of the nine included trials have been previously published (Baldwin et al., 2012; Boulenger et al., 2014; Henigsberg et al., 2012; Jacobsen et al., 2015; Jain et al., 2013; Mahableshwarkar, Jacobsen, Chen, et al., 2015; Mahableshwarkar, Jacobsen, Serenko, et al., 2015; Mahableshwarkar et al., 2013; Takeda, 2013). Table 1 provides a summary of treatment dosages, number of participants in each dosage arm, treatment duration, and key inclusion criteria for each of the trials included in this meta‐analysis.…”

“…All patients enrolled in these studies met the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, Text Revision (DSM‐IV‐TR; American Psychiatric Association (APA), 2000) criteria for a major depressive episode lasting ≥3 months and were ≥18 years old. Additionally, patients were required to have Montgomery‐Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS; Montgomery & Asberg, 1979) scores ≥22 (NCT00672620, Mahableshwarkar et al., 2013), ≥30 (NCT00672958, Jain et al., 2013) or ≥26 (all other trials; Baldwin et al., 2012; Boulenger et al., 2014; Henigsberg et al., 2012; Jacobsen et al., 2015; Mahableshwarkar, Jacobsen, Chen, et al., 2015; Mahableshwarkar, Jacobsen, Serenko, et al., 2015; Takeda, 2013; Table 1). …”

“…In preclinical studies, vortioxetine has demonstrated effects on serotonergic, noradrenergic, dopaminergic, cholinergic, norepinephrinergic, acetylcholinergic, histaminergic, gabanergic, and glutamatergic neurotransmission (Bang‐Andersen et al., 2011; Mork et al., 2012; Sanchez, Asin, & Artigas, 2015). The efficacy and safety of vortioxetine in patients with MDD has been demonstrated in a series of short‐ and long‐term studies (Alvarez et al., 2012; Boulenger, Loft, & Olsen, 2014; Henigsberg et al., 2012; Jacobsen et al., 2015; Katona, Hansen, & Olsen, 2012; Mahableshwarkar, Jacobsen, Chen, et al., 2015; McIntyre, Lophaven, & Olsen, 2014; Montgomery, Nielsen, et al., 2014). The effects of vortioxetine on general functioning were assessed (with the SDS) as secondary measures in a subset of short‐term clinical trials (Baldwin, Loft, & Dragheim, 2012; Boulenger et al., 2014; Henigsberg et al., 2012; Jacobsen et al., 2015; Jain et al., 2013; Mahableshwarkar, Jacobsen, & Chen, 2013; Mahableshwarkar, Jacobsen, Chen, et al., 2015; Mahableshwarkar, Jacobsen, Serenko, et al., 2015; Takeda, 2013).…”