New research published online Jan. 29 in the journal The Lancet concluded that Pfizer Inc’s sertraline (Zoloft) and Forest Laboratories Inc’s escitalopram (Lexapro) are the most effective and well-tolerated antidepressants among a group of 12 new drugs.

 

The findings were based on a review of 17 studies consisting of almost 26,000 patients with depression between 1991 and 2007. The other 10 drugs involved in the study included bupropion (Wellbutrin/Zyban), citalopram (Celexa), duloxetine (Cymbalta), escitalopram, fluoxetine (Prozac), fluvoxamine (Luvox), milnacipran (Savella), mirtazapine (Remeron), paroxetine (Paxil), reboxetine (Edronax/Vestra), sertraline, and venlafaxine (Effexor).

 

The study was the work of an international team of doctors. They found that Zoloft and Lexapro were the best options when considering benefits, side effects and cost, and doctors should prescribe antidepressants starting with them.

 

“The most important clinical implication of the results is that escitalopram and sertraline might be the best choice when starting a treatment for moderate to severe major depression, because they have the best possible balance between efficacy and acceptability,” said Dr. Andrea Cipriani, of the University of Verona in Italy who led the study.

 

The findings of the study will benefit an estimated 121 million people worldwide who suffer from depression. In the US, about 19 million people suffer from depression. Nearly two-thirds of them do not get the help they need. Women suffer from depressive disorder more often than men, according to statistics. The condition causes feelings of sadness, hopelessness, helplessness and worthlessness. Fatigue, insomnia, apathy, little appetite are also known to be symptoms of depression.