SSRIs significantly increase the risk of both serious and non-serious adverse events .
The potential small beneficial effects seem to be outweighed by harmful effects .
Background The evidence on selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors ( SSRIs ) for major depressive disorder is unclear .
Methods Our objective was to conduct a systematic review assessing the effects of SSRIs versus placebo , ‘ active ’ placebo , or no intervention in adult participants with major depressive disorder .
A double‐blind comparison of paroxetine and placebo in the treatment of depressed patients in a psychiatric outpatient clinic
Methods After initial screening and a seven-day washout period , in the case of patients who had received previous antidepressant medication , 47 adult patients who fulfiIled Feighner ’s criteria for the diagnosis of depression ( 1 ) and had a Hamilton Depression Rating Scale ( HAMD ) total score ( 21-item ) of 18 or more were r and omized to treatment with either paroxetine or placebo . The intended duration of double-blind treatment was four weeks . Paroxetine at a single daily dose of 30 mg or matched placebo was administered at night . No concomitant psychotropic medication other than triazolam or flunitrazepam as a hypnotic was permitted . Patients attended for review on days 7,14 , and 28 . The measures of severity of depression were the HAMD scale total score ( 21-item ) , the Beck Depression Inventory ( BDI ) , the Visual Analogue Scale ( VAS ) , and the Clinical Global Impression ( CGI ) of severity of illness . Assessment of tolerability was based on reports of adverse experiences , both spontaneously reported and elicited in response to asideeffect symptom checklist , physical examination , vital signs , and laboratory investigations
SSRIs significantly increase the risk of both serious and non-serious adverse events .
The potential small beneficial effects seem to be outweighed by harmful effects .
Background The evidence on selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors ( SSRIs ) for major depressive disorder is unclear .
Methods Our objective was to conduct a systematic review assessing the effects of SSRIs versus placebo , ‘ active ’ placebo , or no intervention in adult participants with major depressive disorder .