Abstract

In the past decade a new class of drugs, the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), has become available for the treatment of patients with depressive illness. Four SSRIs, fluoxetine (Prozac – Dista), fluvoxamine (Faverin – Duphar), paroxetine (Seroxat – Smithkline Beecham) and sertraline (Lustral – Invicta/Pfizer), are marketed in the UK. How do they compare with the older and cheaper tricyclics?