A wide variety of antidepressants are available today for treating major depressive disorder. However, like all medical therapies, antidepressants have several limitations that clinicians should consider when choosing treatments for their patients. This article reviews the efficacy, tolerability, and safety of the newer (ie, posttricyclic era) antidepressants. Specifically, overall efficacy and efficacy in relation to specific depressive symptoms and patient subpopulations, as well as in relation to various psychiatric and medical comorbidities, are addressed, along with tolerability profiles with respect to common side effects, including nausea, fatigue, insomnia, somnolence, sexual dysfunction, and weight gain. Finally, the safety profile of these agents is summarized.
Published online March 31, 2010. The Supplement is available for CME credit until March 31, 2013.
Corresponding author: George I. Papakostas, MD, Massachusetts General Hospital, 15 Parkman St WACC #812, Boston, MA 01224 ([email protected]).
Free Access: Please Log In
This content is completely free—but you need to be logged in to read the full article. If you already have an account, please log in below. Otherwise, register for free to unlock instant access.