Our systematic review in BMC Psychiatry concluded that selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors ( SSRIs ) compared with placebo significantly increase the risk of serious adverse events ( SAEs ) in patients with major depression and the potential beneficial effects of SSRIs seem to be outweighed by the harms .
In their post-hoc analysis of our data , they reported that SSRIs only increase the risk of SAEs in elderly and seems safe for non-elderly patients .
A 6-week, double-blind trial of paroxetine, imipramine, and placebo in depressed outpatients.
Paroxetine is a novel antidepressant that selectively inhibits neuronal reuptake of serotonin . Results are reported from a 6-week , double-blind trial of paroxetine , imipramine , and placebo in 120 out patients with DSM-III major depression .  Paroxetine was significantly superior to placebo on almost all measures . This included the main outcome variable , the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression ( HAM-D ) , and its factor scores , anxiety-somatization , cognitive disturbance , psychomotor retardation , and sleep disturbance . There were no significant differences between paroxetine and imipramine on the same scales . Imipramine-treated patients were significantly more likely than those taking placebo to report one or more adverse effects , which were predominantly anticholinergic in nature . There was no significant difference in the number of paroxetine and placebo patients who reported one or more adverse effects . The results of this and similar studies indicate that paroxetine is an effective treatment in major depression and has a favorable side effect profile
Our systematic review in BMC Psychiatry concluded that selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors ( SSRIs ) compared with placebo significantly increase the risk of serious adverse events ( SAEs ) in patients with major depression and the potential beneficial effects of SSRIs seem to be outweighed by the harms .
In their post-hoc analysis of our data , they reported that SSRIs only increase the risk of SAEs in elderly and seems safe for non-elderly patients .