A COMPARISON OF 5 COMMONLY PRESCRIBED ANTIDEPRESSANTS WITH PARTICULARREFERENCE TO THEIR BEHAVIORAL TOXICITY

Five antidepressant drugs (amitriptyline, dothiepin, lofepramine, fluo xetine and paroxetine) were examined for their effects on psychologica l function and skilled performance using a mete-analytical technique f or the combination of separate studies. Furthermore, the drugs were pl aced and contrasted upon dimensions of efficacy, side-effects, safety in overdose and price in an attempt to formalize and provide a practic al example of the considerations which should underlie the selection a nd use of such compounds. In both these analyses the profile of lofepr amine, fluoxetine and paroxetine were found to be favourable compared to those of amitriptyline and dothiepin, suggesting that the prescript ion of older tricyclic compounds should be the exception rather than t he rule in the pharmacotherapy of depression.