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 .
Fluoxetine in depressed alcoholics. A double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.
BACKGROUND The selective serotonergic medication fluoxetine has demonstrated efficacy in the treatment of major depression and has suggested efficacy in the treatment of alcoholism . However , no completed trials with any selective serotonergic medication have been reported in patients who display both major depression and alcoholism , despite previous observations that both depression and alcoholism are associated with low serotonergic functioning . METHODS Fifty-one patients diagnosed as having comorbid major depressive disorder and alcohol dependence were r and omized to receive fluoxetine ( n = 25 ) or placebo ( n = 26 ) in a 12-week , double-blind , parallel-group trial . Weekly ratings of depression and alcohol consumption were obtained throughout the 12-week course of the study . RESULTS The improvement in depressive symptoms during the medication trial was significantly greater in the fluoxetine group than in the placebo group . Total alcohol consumption during the trial was significantly lower in the fluoxetine group than in the placebo group . CONCLUSIONS Fluoxetine is effective in reducing the depressive symptoms and the alcohol consumption of patients with comorbid major depressive disorder and alcohol dependence . It is unknown whether these results generalize to the treatment of less depressed and less suicidal alcoholics
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 .