Various studies showed the efficacy and tolerability of WS^® 5570 (Hyperiplant^® Rx, Dr. Willmar Schwabe GmbH & Co. KG) for the treatment of acute mild-to moderate depression. Beneficial effects of WS^® 5570 have been also shown in patients with moderate-to-severe depression.

We present a subgroup analysis of a double blind, randomised trial to compare the therapeutic efficacy of WS^® 5570 with paroxetine in patients suffering from a major depressive episode with moderate symptom intensity. This analysis on moderately depressed patients treated with WS^® 5570 tries to support the hypothesis that WS^® 5570 is an effective remedy in patients with major depression and moderate symptom intensity.

Moderate depression was defined by a baseline Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D) total score between 22 and 25. Sixty-four patients received, after a single blind placebo run-in phase of 3–7 days, either 3×300mg/day WS^® 5570 or 20mg/day paroxetine for six weeks. The change of the HAM-D total score was used to describe the efficacy of WS^® 5570 compared with paroxetine in the subgroup of patients with moderate depression.

The reduction of the HAM-D total score was significantly more pronounced in patients treated with 3×300mg/day WS^® 5570 compared to 20mg/day paroxetine. After six weeks, responder (87.1%) and remission rates (60.6%) to WS^® 5570 were significantly higher than to paroxetine (71%/42.4%).

After six weeks, patients treated with WS^® 5570 showed a higher reduction in depression severity score and yielded greater response and remission rates compared with patients treated with paroxetine.