Fluoxetine doesn’t reduce depression after stroke: study
Aus research will likely bolster the trend to choosing other antidepressants post-stroke, rehab expert says
Adults recovering from a stroke don’t have a lower risk of clinically significant depression symptoms when prescribed fluoxetine hydrochloride during their recovery, according to trial results.
The analysis formed part of the Australian-led AFFINITY trial carried out primarily to determine whether the antidepressant aided physical recovery from stroke – with the trial showing no benefit in that regard.
In AFFINTY, the WA researchers randomly assigned more than 1200 adults with stroke from Australia, New Zealand and Vietnam (mean age 64 years, 65% male, 40% Australian) to take fluoxetine hydrochloride 20mg or placebo daily for six months.
Mental health assessments were made at baseline and again at four, 12, and 26 weeks.
