Two advanced cancer patients in whom escitalopram was useful for depression
Palliative Care Research
;
: 548-553, 2013.
Article
in Japanese
| WPRIM
| ID: wpr-374787
ABSTRACT
<b>Purpose</b> Escitalopram has been inadequately evaluated in cancer patients. Here, we report two patients with advanced cancer who benefited from escitalopram for depression. <b>Case 1</b> A man aged in his 50s had postoperative recurrence of rectal cancer. He was diagnosed with a major depressive episode according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV-TR). The score of the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAMD-17) was 20 points. He began treatment with 10 mg/day of escitalopram. His symptoms began to improve at about 14 days, and the HAMD-17 score was 4 points at 23 days, suggesting a marked improvement. <b>Case 2</b> A woman aged in her 50s had cancer of the external auditory canal. She was diagnosed with a major depressive episode according to DSM-IV-TR. The score of HAMD-17 was 26 points. She began treatment with 10 mg/day of escitalopram. Her symptoms began to improve at 15 days, and the HAMD-17 score at 28 days was 13 points, suggesting a marked improvement. In both cases, serious side effects, clear exacerbation of depression, and withdrawal syndrome due to acute drug deprivation associated with worsening of the symptoms were not noted. <b>Conclusion</b> Escitalopram is considered a useful drug for depression in patients with advanced cancer.
Full text:
Available
Index:
WPRIM (Western Pacific)
Type of study:
Practice guideline
Language:
Japanese
Journal:
Palliative Care Research
Year:
2013
Type:
Article
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