Mohammadinejad, P., Arya, P., Esfandbod, M., Kaviani, A., Najafi, M., Kashani, L., . . . Akhondzadeh, S. (2015). Celecoxib versus diclofenac in mild to moderate depression management among breast cancer patients: A double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized trial. Annals of Pharmacotherapy, 49, 953–961.
To compare celecoxib versus diclofenac in mild to moderate depression in patients with breast cancer
Patients with breast cancer with mild to moderate depression and pain were randomized to receive celecoxib or diclofenac over a six-week period. Depression was evaluated at baseline, three weeks, and six weeks.
Fifty-two patients randomized with similar characteristics showed a significant reduction in HDRS score in celecoxib group by week six; however, none achieved a remission of symptoms. There was no significant difference in VAS score.
There was a greater antidepressant effect for celecoxib than for diclofenac by week 6.
It is important to recognize that symptoms often present in clusters (pain/depression), and treatment of all symptoms are important to often achieve relief of any symptom.