Antidepressant escitalopram best at preventing relapse
A large analysis in The Lancet Psychiatry shows escitalopram best prevents depression relapse among nearly 10,000 patients.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
- Study analyzed nearly 10,000 patients taking different medications for up to a year
- Escitalopram performed best at preventing depression relapse
- Agomelatine and duloxetine followed closely behind
- Experts stress findings are general guidance and patients should not switch medications abruptly
A major new analysis examining the effectiveness of antidepressant medications has found that escitalopram is the most effective drug at keeping patients free from symptoms and preventing depression from returning. The study evaluated data from nearly 10,000 individuals who were prescribed various medications for up to a year.
Published in the medical journal The Lancet Psychiatry, the research compared over a dozen common antidepressants. Following escitalopram, agomelatine and duloxetine ranked next in performance, while fluoxetine—commonly known as Prozac—ranked just below them. Other medications evaluated, including sertraline, showed no distinct advantage.
Depression remains a common condition, affecting approximately one in six people in the UK. Medical guidelines currently recommend that individuals continue taking antidepressants for at least six months after their depressive episodes resolve before gradually tapering off under medical supervision.
This type of systematic analysis provides vital comparative data for psychiatrists and patients navigating long-term treatment plans. Selecting an SSRI that minimizes relapse risk is critical, as recurring depressive episodes remain a primary challenge in mental healthcare management.
"Nevertheless, our study can help inform the decisions that prescribers and patients make together: if you start an antidepressant, choose one that not only helps you to get well, but also keeps you well."
Prof Eric Ruhé, Radboud University, The Netherlands
Despite the findings, mental health experts emphasize that the research does not imply all patients with severe depression should switch to escitalopram, nor does it render other antidepressants ineffective. All medications carry distinct benefits and side effect profiles, with escitalopram potentially causing sleep disturbances, constipation, and weight gain in some users.
Source: BBC Health
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