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 .
Fluvoxamine versus imipramine and placebo: a double‐blind comparison in depressed patients
& NA ; Approximately 20 million patients suffer from major depressive disorder each year , indicating a need for antidepressant agents that are synonymous with effectiveness , tolerability and patient compliance . The authors examined the effects of fluvoxamine , a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor , in the treatment of out patients meeting DSM‐III‐R criteria for major depressive disorder . A r and omized , double‐blind , parallel group , placebo‐ and imipramine‐controlled  single center study was conducted in 150 out patients . Patients were r and omized to receive up to 150 mg/day of fluvoxamine as a single bedtime dose , 240 mg/day of imipramine on a twice‐daily ( BID ) schedule , or placebo for six weeks  . Efficacy measurements included HAM‐D , MADRS , CGI , Raskin‐Covi and SCL‐56 scales . The HAM‐D total score indicated that both active treatment groups showed significantly ( p ≤ 0.05 ) greater therapeutic benefit than did placebo . Severely depressed patients ( HAM‐D ≥ 30 ) responded better to fluvoxamine in five of six measures . Side‐effects from fluvoxamine were similar to those reported for other selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors ( nausea , somnolence ) and were well tolerated . Imipramine was associated with anticholinergic effects such as dry mouth and dizziness . The pharmacokinetic properties of fluvoxamine which allow the drug to be administered as a single daily dose should aid in the maintenance of patient compliance , while offering significant clinical benefit in the improvement of depressive symptoms
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 .