Which is the "Best"?
According to Dr. David Horgan (retired), there are 3 important facts to remember:
- We do not know exactly what is wrong in depression.
- We do not know exactly how antidepressants fix depression, but complex research confirms antidepressants are superior to placebo.
- Therefore, there is no way of predicting which antidepressant will be "the best" for an individual.
For more information on depression, please see www.depression.com.au
Success Rates Using any single antidepressant
Long-term Remission
40%
Short-term Success
15%
Partial Benefit
15%
No Benefit
30%
Medication Comparison
+ Significant
_ Minimal
? Sometimes
| Brand Name | Generic | Withdrawals | Weight Gain | Sexual | Drowsiness | Dry Mouth | Sweating | Clinical Impressions |
|---|
Practical Advice
- 01. Start with a low dose for the first 2-4 days, especially for those under 25.
- 02. Give it 3 weeks. If no brief periods of improvement occur, it's 90% certain it won't work.
- 03. Initial treatment should last 12 months to prevent recurrence (50% risk otherwise).
- 04. If total abolition of symptoms is not achieved, another antidepressant may be more effective, or may not! Gradually stopping antidepressants is necessary usually.
Long-term Side Effects
Common with SSRIs/SNRIs:
35%
Weight gain due to metabolic changes
35%
Sexual side-effects
30%
Withdrawal symptoms (dependency)