Antidepressant side effects in depression patients treated in a naturalistic setting: a study of bupropion, moclobemide, paroxetine, sertraline, and venlafaxine.
OBJECTIVE
There is no commonly accepted standard for comparing antidepressant-induced side effects. This study evaluates a clinician-administered scale, the Toronto Side Effect Scale (TSES), in a natural practice clinic.


METHODS
We used the TSES to assess side effects in 193 depression patients who completed 8 weeks of treatment with either bupropion, moclobemide, paroxetine, sertraline, or venlafaxine.


RESULTS
Rates of remission (Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression [HRSD] < 7) did not differ across drugs after 8 weeks of treatment. Paired drug comparisons yielded significant differences in 16 of the 32 side effects. We present differences between pairs of the 5 antidepressants in Central Nervous System (CNS), gastrointestinal (GI), and sexual side effects. A measure of side-effect intensity distinguished paroxetine from the other antidepressants on a measure of sexual dysfunction.


CONCLUSIONS
These results confirm the clinical utility of the TSES as a simple, clinician-administered antidepressant side-effect scale.
Vanderkooy
J D
JD
Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario.
Kennedy
Sidney H
SH
Bagby
R Michael
RM
D000328:Adult; D016907:Adverse Drug Reaction Reporting Systems; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016642:Bupropion / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002170:Canada; D003511:Cyclohexanols / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020912:Moclobemide / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017374:Paroxetine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D020280:Sertraline / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D000069470:Venlafaxine Hydrochloride
D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D003511:Cyclohexanols; D016642:Bupropion; D017374:Paroxetine; D000069470:Venlafaxine Hydrochloride; D020912:Moclobemide; D020280:Sertraline