Mirtazapine was significantly more effective than a serotonin-noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor ( venlafaxine only , two trials , n = 415 ) at two weeks ( OR 2.29 , 95 % CI 1.45 to 3.59 ) and at the end of acute-phase treatment ( OR 1.53 , 95 % CI 1.03 to 2.25).In terms of dropouts , there was no robust evidence to detect a difference between mirtazapine and other antidepressants .
Mirtazapine was more likely to cause weight gain or increased appetite and somnolence than SSRIs but less likely to cause nausea or vomiting and sexual dysfunction .
AUTHORS ' CONCLUSIONS Some statistically significant and possibly clinical ly meaningful differences between mirtazapine and other antidepressive agents were found for the acute-phase treatment of major depression .
Mirtazapine is likely to have a faster onset of action than SSRIs during the acute-phase treatment .
Dropouts occur similarly in participants treated with mirtazapine and those treated with other antidepressants , although the adverse event profile of mirtazapine is unique
BACKGROUND Mirtazapine has a unique mechanism of antidepressive action and is one of the commonly used antidepressants in clinical practice .
OBJECTIVES The aim of the present review was to assess the evidence on the efficacy and acceptability of mirtazapine compared with other antidepressive agents in the acute-phase treatment of major depression in adults .
Nefazodone versus sertraline in outpatients with major depression: focus on efficacy, tolerability, and effects on sexual function and satisfaction.
BACKGROUND The efficacy , tolerability , and effects on sexual function and satisfaction of nefazodone and sertraline were compared in a multicenter , r and omized , double-blind , parallel-group study in out patients with major depression . METHOD One hundred sixty patients , 18 years of age or older , who met DSM-III-R criteria for single or recurrent nonpsychotic major depressive episodes were r and omly assigned to 6 weeks of treatment with either nefazodone ( 100 - 600 mg/day ) or sertraline ( 50 - 200 mg/day ) . Symptoms were assessed before and during treatment using the 17-item Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression ( HAM-D-17 ) , Clinical Global Impressions ( CGI ) Improvement scale , the CGI Severity of Illness scale , and a sexual function question naire . RESULTS Of 143 patients evaluable for efficacy , 72 received sertraline and 71 received nefazodone . The mean modal daily dose at endpoint was 148 mg for sertraline and 456 mg for nefazodone . Analysis of efficacy measures ( HAM-D-17 and CGI ) showed consistent and comparable improvement in symptoms of depression for both treatment groups . Sertraline had negative effects on sexual function and satisfaction in both men and women , and nefazodone had no adverse effect on sexual well-being . Safety assessment s based on adverse events , vital sign measurements , electrocardiographs , physical examinations , and clinical laboratory tests revealed no serious adverse events or organ toxicity associated with nefazodone or sertraline administration . CONCLUSION Nefazodone and sertraline are well tolerated , and there was no statistically significant difference in their antidepressant activity .  Sertraline treatment has negative effects on sexual function and performance in both sexes , while nefazodone has none . These findings may have clinical implication s when choosing antidepressant therapy
Mirtazapine was significantly more effective than a serotonin-noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor ( venlafaxine only , two trials , n = 415 ) at two weeks ( OR 2.29 , 95 % CI 1.45 to 3.59 ) and at the end of acute-phase treatment ( OR 1.53 , 95 % CI 1.03 to 2.25).In terms of dropouts , there was no robust evidence to detect a difference between mirtazapine and other antidepressants .
Mirtazapine was more likely to cause weight gain or increased appetite and somnolence than SSRIs but less likely to cause nausea or vomiting and sexual dysfunction .
AUTHORS ' CONCLUSIONS Some statistically significant and possibly clinical ly meaningful differences between mirtazapine and other antidepressive agents were found for the acute-phase treatment of major depression .
Mirtazapine is likely to have a faster onset of action than SSRIs during the acute-phase treatment .
Dropouts occur similarly in participants treated with mirtazapine and those treated with other antidepressants , although the adverse event profile of mirtazapine is unique
BACKGROUND Mirtazapine has a unique mechanism of antidepressive action and is one of the commonly used antidepressants in clinical practice .
OBJECTIVES The aim of the present review was to assess the evidence on the efficacy and acceptability of mirtazapine compared with other antidepressive agents in the acute-phase treatment of major depression in adults .