Where are we going with SSRIs?

During the past decade the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) have become established as the treatment of choice for depression. As newer antidepressants become available on the market, it is important to reappra ise the position of the SSRIs in the management of depression. This review will address the question: where are we going with the SSRIs? The continued establishment of the SSRIs as first-line treatment for depression will be discussed, focusing on the more rapid onset of antidepressant efficacy seen with pindolol augmentation and the use of SSRIs for treatment of depressio n in patients with physical illnesses, particularly ischaemic heart disease . The SSRIs have well-documented efficacy in panic disorder and obsessive-c ompulsive disorder, and paroxetine has recently been licensed for social an xiety disorder/social phobia in some countries. Results will be presented f rom studies with the SSRIs in new therapeutic areas, including post-traumat ic stress disorder and generalized anxiety disorder. (C) 1999 Elsevier Scie nce B.V. All rights reserved.