Fluoxetine efficacy in menopausal women with and without estrogen replacement

Abstract A gradual decline in estrogen levels after the age of 40 may contribute to a higher rate of depression in women over 45 years of age. Estrogen replacement therapy (ERT) has been shown to produce cognitive and mood-enhancing effects in women and may facilitate antidepressant activity. Methods: We examined the efficacy rates in women on ERT ≥45 years ( n =40) compared to women ≥45 years not on ERT ( n =132) and to women n =396) and to men ( n =262) with major depression during fluoxetine 20 mg daily up to 8 weeks. Remitters with a HAM-D 17 score ≤7 from week 9 to 12 were then treated up to 1-year in a placebo-controlled, relapse-prevention trial. Results: Efficacy rates were similar in women ≥45 years on ERT when compared to women ≥45 years taking fluoxetine alone, and when compared to women P