NEW ANTIDEPRESSANTS HAVE SIMILAR EFFICACY, DIFFERENT SIDE EFFECTS, HHS SAYS

HHS' Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) found the most commonly prescribed antidepressants are similar in effectiveness, but have varying side effects, according to a new report.

The findings come from an agency review of 293 published studies on second-generation antidepressants, the AHRQ said Jan. 24. The agency found that approximately six in 10 adult patients get some relief from the drugs, but the same ratio also experience at least one side effect.

The agency said it examined a dozen selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors including Wellbutrin, Lexapro, Prozac, Paxil and Zoloft. The analysis compared the medications' risks and efficacy in treating major depressive order, dysthymia and subsyndromal depression.

The most common side effects found in the agency's analysis were nausea and vomiting, constipation, diarrhea, dizziness, headache and sleeplessness.

When patients don't find relief with one of the drugs, they often try another drug within the same class. This method works for approximately 25 percent of those patients, the agency said. One study from the National Institute of Mental Health found that between 25 and 33 percent of patients improved with the substitution or addition of a different drug, the agency added.

The report can be seen at www.ahrq.gov/news/press/pr2007/antideppr.htm (http://www.ahrq.gov/news/press/pr2007/antideppr.htm).