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 comparison of paroxetine, imipramine and placebo in depressed out-patients.
To compare the safety and antidepressant efficacy of paroxetine , imipramine , and placebo , data from six centres using the same protocol were pooled . A double-blind parallel-group design was used , with therapy lasting six weeks . From week 2 onwards , both the 240 paroxetine-treated and the 237 imipramine-treated patients were significantly different from the 240 placebo-treated patients , but no different from each other . Side-effects with paroxetine were less likely to lead to drop-out than with imipramine . Paroxetine had a possible earlier antidepressant effect than imipramine , and a possible earlier beneficial effect on anxiety symptoms associated with depression
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 .