Research
Analysis finds three antidepressants performed better at preventing relapse
The analysis found escitalopram, agomelatine and duloxetine performed better than fluoxetine for long-term treatment, but the reported differences were modest.
An analysis published in The Lancet Psychiatry found that escitalopram, agomelatine and duloxetine performed better than fluoxetine at helping people with depression stay well during longer-term treatment. The BBC reported that escitalopram ranked highest for preventing relapse and that differences between medicines were modest.
Medical Xpress said the analysis drew on 115 randomized clinical trials involving more than 30,000 participants and compared 20 antidepressants. The BBC described the study as involving nearly 10,000 people prescribed different medicines for up to a year.
Researchers and clinicians said the findings should inform treatment choices, not prompt everyone doing well on another antidepressant to switch. Medication choice depends on a person's response, side effects and preferences, and longer studies are needed, according to the BBC.
