Systematic review and guide to selection of
selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors
by
Edwards JG, Anderson I
University of Southampton,
Faculty of Medicine,
Health and Biological Sciences,
Department of Psychiatry,
Royal South Hants Hospital, England.
Drugs 1999 Apr; 57(4): 507-33

ABSTRACT

A meta-analysis of 20 short term comparative studies of 5 selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs; citalopram, fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, paroxetine and sertraline) has shown no difference in efficacy between individual compounds but a slower onset of action of fluoxetine. There were suggestions that fluoxetine caused more agitation, weight loss and dermatological reactions than the other SSRIs. More patients discontinued fluvoxamine and fewer patients stopped sertraline because of adverse effects than their comparator SSRIs. The most common adverse reactions to the SSRIs were gastrointestinal (especially nausea) and neuropsychiatric (particularly headache and tremor). Data from the Committee on Safety of Medicines showed more reports of suspected reactions (including discontinuation reactions) to paroxetine, and of gastrointestinal reactions to fluvoxamine and paroxetine, than the other SSRIs during their first 2 years of marketing. Prescription-event monitoring revealed a higher incidence of adverse events related to fluvoxamine than its comparators. There were higher incidences of gastrointestinal symptoms, malaise, sedation and tremor during treatment with fluvoxamine and of sedation, tremor, sweating, sexual dysfunction and discontinuation reactions with paroxetine. Fluoxetine was not associated with a higher incidence of suicidal, aggressive and related events than the other SSRIs. Patients have survived large overdoses of each of the compounds, but concern has been expressed over 6 fatalities following overdoses of citalopram. Drug interactions mediated by cytochrome P450 enzymes are theoretically less likely to occur during treatment with citalopram and sertraline, but there is a sparsity of clinical data to support this. Methodological difficulties and price changes do not allow choice for recommendations on the choice of SSRI based on pharmacoeconomic data. Taking into account the strengths and weaknesses of the methods used to compare drugs, guidelines to the selection of individual SSRIs in clinical practice are proposed. Citalopram should be avoided in patients likely to take overdoses. Fluoxetine may not be the drug of first choice for patients in whom a rapid antidepressant effect is important or for those who are agitated, but it may have advantages over other SSRIs in patients who are poorly compliant with treatment and those who have previously had troublesome discontinuation symptoms. Fluvoxamine, and possibly paroxetine, should not be used as first choice in patients especially prone to SSRI-related adverse reactions, while paroxetine should be avoided if previous discontinuation of treatment was troublesome. When in doubt about the risks of drug interactions, citalopram or sertraline should be considered given the lower theoretical risk of interactions.

SSRIs
Risks
Options
Serotonin
Sertraline
Fluoxetine
Paroxetine
Citalopram
SSRIs 2006
Fluvoxamine
SSRIs: review
SSRIs and sex
SSRIs and PMT
SSRIs and safety
SSRIs and jealousy
SSRI pharmacology
The serotonin receptors
SSRI-induced melancholy
Body dysmorphic disorder
Methylphenidate and SSRIs
Serotonin and romantic lovers
Serotonin: neuropharmacology
Acute SSRIs and emotional processing
Serotonin and the genetics of depression
Dopaminergic and noradrenergic antidepressants
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs): binding profiles
Selective publication of clinical trials leads to unrealistic estimates of antidepressant efficacy

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