Which antidepressant?

Abstract

Choosing an antidepressant has become more complex in recent years. New drug classes such as the SSRIs, the SNRIs and moclobemide have provided a wide range of potentially effective treatments. While their efficacy is similar to that of the tricyclics, the newer agents have greater specificity of action, which correlates with differences in adverse effects. They possess significant safety advantages over tricyclics in areas of lethality on overdose, cardiotoxicity and effects on psychomotor function. The choice of antidepressant requires evaluation of prior drug treatment and response and assessment of side effect risk and safety. Effective treatment requires adequate dose and compliance and sufficient duration of treatment to assess efficacy.