title: Comparison of tolerance of venlafaxine, paroxetine and amitriptyline in depression therapy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  There are no controlled studies dedicated to research of side effects of antidepressants. It is a well known fact that antidepressants reciprocally differ according to their type, intensity and frequency of appearance of certain side effects. For example, cardiovascular and anticholinergic effects are essential feature of the tricyclics whereas gastrointestinal and sexual side effects are registered during the use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. Interruptions of therapy or irregular use of drugs because of the appearance of side effects are not rare. Serious side effects of drugs are the fourth cause of death in the USA.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study is the evaluation of appearance of side effects comparing three different groups of antidepressants: venlafaxine, amitriptyline and paroxetine.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study included 90 in-patients as well as outpatients of both sexes aged 18-65 who were treated for major depressive disorder at Psychiatric Clinic in Banjaluka. 30 patients were treated with amitriptyline 75-250 mg, 30 patients were treated with paroxetine 20-40 mg and 30 patients were treated with venlafaxine 75-300 mg. The selection of patients was done on the basis of diagnosis of major depressive disorder.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Most patients did not have serious side effects. The study confirmed high efficiency of the mentioned drugs as well as the fact that paroxetine causes a bit more side effects in comparison with two other antidepressants.
authors.affiliation: Psychiatric Clinic, University Clinical Center of Banja Luka, Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
authors.forename: Mirjana
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Miskovic
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000639:Amitriptyline / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018687:Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004361:Drug Tolerance; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017374:Paroxetine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013997:Time Factors; D000069470:Venlafaxine Hydrochloride / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000639:Amitriptyline; D018687:Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation; D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic; D017374:Paroxetine; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors; D000069470:Venlafaxine Hydrochloride
keywords: antidepressants; depression; side effects of drugs