Newer Class Of Antidepressants

According to an analysis, most commonly prescribed antidepressants nowadays are similar in effectiveness to each other but differ when it comes to possible side effects. The analysis compared the drugs' benefits and risks in the treatment of major depressive disorder, dysthymia (a chronic, less-severe form of depression), and subsyndromal depression (an acute mood disorder that is less severe than major depression). Second-generation antidepressants, including selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), are often prescribed because first-generation antidepressants - such as tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) - can cause intolerable side effects and carry high risks.

Venlafaxine, an SNRI, is associated with a higher incidence of nausea and vomiting than SSRIs. That drug is also more likely than SSRIs to be discontinued due to adverse events. Paroxetine and venlafaxine have the highest rates of discontinuation. Fluoxetine has the lowest. Bupropion is less likely to cause sexual dysfunction than fluoxetine, paroxetine, or sertaline. Paroxetine has higher rates of sexual dysfunction than fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, nefazodone, or sertraline.