title: Are SSRIs better than TCAs? Comparison of SSRIs and TCAs: a meta-analysis.
abstract: In this analysis we examined studies of tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) to compare efficacy and drop-out rates. Frequency of reported side effects was also studied. Using Medline, we located 36 clinical trials of TCAs and SSRIs in a double-blind comparison. We performed a meta-analysis on these studies and on a subgroup of 21 studies that had more uniformly defined outcome criteria. The main outcome measures were efficacy for treatment completers and for the intention-to-treat group; drop-out rates due to adverse reactions and lack of efficacy; and reported side effects. Overall, the response rate to treatment for patients who completed a trial was 63.2% for SSRIs and 68.2% for TCAs (P = 0.038). For the intention-to-treat groups, these rates dropped to 48.0 and 48.6% (P, NS), respectively. Significantly more TCA-treated than SSRI-treated subjects dropped out due to either lack of efficacy or adverse reactions (30.0 vs. 24.7%, P = 0.01). Patients taking SSRIs experienced significantly more gastrointestinal problems and sexual dysfunction, whereas treatment with TCAs produced significantly more complaints of sedation, dizziness, and anticholinergic symptoms.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA.
authors.forename: D C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Steffens
authors.forename: K R
authors.initials: KR
authors.lastname: Krishnan
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Helms
mesh_terms: D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004361:Drug Tolerance; D006801:Humans; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors