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Author: Admin | 2025-04-28
Than any other psychotropics and are the antidepressant of choice for many practitioners. The SSRIs differ in their licensed indications for non-depression disorders (which differ between countries). Celexa (Citalopram) licensed indications: Major depressive disorder Lexapro (Escitalopram) licensed indications: Major depressive disorder Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) Paxil (Paroxetine) licensed indications: Major depressive disorder Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) Panic disorder Social anxiety disorder Generalized anxiety disorder Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) Prozac (Fluoxetine) licensed indications: Major depressive disorder Obsessive-compulsive disorder Moderate to severe bulimia nervosa Panic disorder In January 2003, Prozac (fluoxetine) was approved by the FDA for the treatment of depression and OCD in children and adolescents who are 7 to 17 years of age. Zoloft (Sertraline) licensed indications: Major depressive disorder Obsessive-compulsive disorder Panic disorder Posttraumatic stress disorder Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) (newest indication) Social anxiety disorder Efficacy and Effectiveness Clinical trials comparing one SSRI with another indicate that drugs in this class are equally efficacious. Each antidepressant produces approximately a 60% overall response rate (ie, at least a 50% reduction in symptoms as a result of treatment). However, some differences in the SSRIs efficacy exist. Escitalopram may be superior in efficacy compared with other SSRIs in the treatment of major depressive disorder2. Also escitalopram has better efficacy in the treatment of severe depression than citalopram4. Paroxetine, fluoxetine, and sertraline are similar in effectiveness for major depression and depression with high levels of anxiety3,5. Paroxetine is the only SSRI indicated for all five anxiety disorders in addition to major depressive disorder. Fluoxetine has a slower onset of antidepressant effect than other SSRIs4. Also, fluoxetine appears to be somewhat less effective, than other drugs in this class24,25. Sertraline may have a slightly higher rate of response than fluoxetine and paroxetine26. Sertraline has advantages over paroxetine in the treatment of panic disorder27. Interesting and important fact is that SSRI antidepressants are not interchangeable. Persons who discontinue one SSRI for the lack of tolerability or response can be effectively treated with another19. Comparison of SSRI's side effects As a group, the SSRIs possess the following adverse effects: nausea sexual dysfunction, including decreased libido, orgasm
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