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 placebo-controlled inpatient comparison of fluvoxamine maleate and imipramine in major depression.
Fluvoxamine , a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor , was investigated in a 6-week double-blind study among severely ill in patients with DSM-III major depression . All but 1 patient also fulfilled criteria for melancholia . Following a 3-day placebo wash-out patients were r and omly assigned to fluvoxamine , imipramine or placebo .  Sixty of 81 patients completed at least 2 weeks following wash-out and were evaluated for efficacy . Analysis of covariance ( controlling for baseline scores ) showed significant ( p less than 0.05 ) differences on CGI severity and BPRS total and a similar trend ( p = 0.08 ) on the Hamilton Depression Scale . Fluvoxamine was superior ( p less than or equal to 0.02 ) to both placebo and imipramine on these measures . Fluvoxamine 's most common adverse effects were nausea and agitation . The number of fluvoxamine patients withdrawn for side-effects was less than imipramine and not significantly different than placebo . Fluvoxamine was not associated with significant changes in vital signs , ECG or laboratory tests . The results therefore indicate that fluvoxamine is a safe and highly effective treatment for hospitalized patients with major 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 .