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Updated: Jun 16, 2026
12:21
Thermostabilization, Expression, Purification, and Crystallization of the Human Serotonin Transporter Bound to S-citalopram
Published on: November 27, 2016
Sertraline versus other antidepressive agents for depression
Andrea Cipriani1, Teresa La Ferla, Toshi A Furukawa
1Department of Medicine and Public Health, Section of Psychiatry and Clinical Psychology, University of Verona, Policlinico "G.B.Rossi", Piazzale L.A. Scuro, 10, Verona, Italy, 37134.
The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews
|January 22, 2010
Summary
Sertraline shows a trend towards better efficacy and acceptability in treating major depression compared to other antidepressants. However, some newer agents may offer advantages, and diarrhea was a common side effect of sertraline.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacology
- Psychiatry
- Clinical Trials
Background:
- Selective serotonin reuptuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are recommended as first-line treatment for depression.
- Sertraline, an SSRI, has preliminary evidence suggesting superior effectiveness.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy, acceptability, and tolerability of sertraline against tricyclics (TCAs), other SSRIs, and newer antidepressants for major depression.
- To compare sertraline's effectiveness in acute-phase depression treatment.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) up to July 2008.
- Searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane registers; hand-searched references; contacted pharmaceutical companies and experts.
- Extracted data on study/participant characteristics, interventions, and outcomes (efficacy, acceptability, tolerability).
Main Results:
- Included 59 mostly low-quality studies comparing sertraline with other antidepressants.
- Sertraline showed favorable efficacy over fluoxetine and better acceptability/tolerability than amitriptyline, imipramine, paroxetine, and mirtazapine.
- Mirtazapine demonstrated superior efficacy, and bupropion superior acceptability, over sertraline in some comparisons; sertraline was associated with higher rates of diarrhea.
Conclusions:
- A trend favors sertraline for efficacy and acceptability in major depression treatment.
- However, studies often lacked pre-specified outcomes relevant to patients and clinicians.
- Further research is needed to fully assess sertraline's comparative effectiveness and tolerability.
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