Antidepressants (Tricyclic Antidepressants and Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors) in treatment of adults with depression
Question 1: Are antidepressants (Tricyclic Antidepressants (TCA) and Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRI)) better (more effective than/as safe as) than treatment as usual (placebo) in adults with depressive episode/disorder?
- Population: adults with depressive episode/disorder
- Interventions: antidepressant medicines: TCAs, SSRIs
- Comparison: placebo
- Outcomes:
- treatment effectiveness in terms of reduction of symptoms
- treatment effectiveness in terms of improvement in functioning
- acceptability profile
- suicide related outcomes.
Recommendation(s)
Antidepressants should not be considered for the initial treatment of adults with mild depressive episode.
Strength of recommendation: STANDARD
Tricyclic Antidepressants or fluoxetine should be considered in adults with moderate to severe depressive episode/disorder.
Strength of recommendation: STANDARD
If drug treatment is required in older people, tricyclic antidepressants should be avoided if possible.
Strength of recommendation: STANDARD
If drug treatment is required in women with depressive episode who are planning a pregnancy or pregnant or breastfeeding, tricyclic antidepressants or fluoxetine should be considered.
Strength of recommendation: STANDARD