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Old antidepressants are as
effective as new drugs Posted 3-29-99 Old antidepressant drugs are just as effective as the newer-generation antidepressant drug therapies, according to a government study comparing treatments for depression. The report, sponsored by the Agency for Health Care Policy and Research, concluded that newer drugs called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)—such as Prozac (fluoxetine)—were no more effective in treating major depression than older drugs—such as the tricyclic drug Elavil (amitriptyline). The study illustrates the range of drug treatment options available, according to Cynthia D. Mulrow, MD, the study’s lead investigator and professor of medicine at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. The findings will likely have an effect on future prescription policy guidelines for many groups, she said. "I suspect [the findings] will make people think twice about going to the newer drugs, and that some people will go back to the older drugs, especially because they are generally cheaper," Mulrow said. The study also found both new and older-generation antidepressant drugs were equally likely to cause side effects. In the new class of drugs, problems including vomiting, diarrhea, and headaches were detected. Side effects caused by the older-generation drugs included dizziness, blurred vision, and tremors. Patients involved in clinical trials for the older drugs were found to be more likely to drop out of the trials because of the side effects, Mulrow said. The study found no evidence to prove the herbal remedies valeriana and kava were effective in treating depression, but did not reach conclusive findings on St. John’s wort, a widely used herbal supplement. The report also noted that not enough research has been done to determine the effectiveness of either class of drugs on children or patients with only mild depression. Related Site |