Escitalopram Tops Antidepressant Study

A large analysis of nearly 10,000 people has found that the antidepressant escitalopram is more effective at preventing relapse than other medications. The study, which involved patients prescribed different medications for up to a year, found that escitalopram performed best at preventing patients from relapsing.

The study compared the effectiveness of more than a dozen common antidepressants, including agomelatine and duloxetine, which came next in terms of effectiveness. Prozac (fluoxetine) ranked just below agomelatine and duloxetine in terms of effectiveness.

Escitalopram, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressant, was found to be more likely to improve symptoms and prevent relapse compared to Prozac (fluoxetine). People on escitalopram were also less likely to stop taking their medication.

The study's findings were published in The Lancet Psychiatry and suggest that escitalopram may be a good choice for patients. However, experts stress that individual results may vary and that other antidepressants can also be effective.

## Why it matters Depression affects around one in six people in the UK, and while it can be treated with the right medication and support, it can also return. Doctors recommend that patients stay on antidepressants for at least six months after depression ends, and then taper off gradually to prevent relapse. The new analysis provides valuable insights into the effectiveness of different antidepressants, which can help inform treatment decisions.

The study's findings are modest, and experts say longer studies are still needed to find out more. However, the analysis suggests that escitalopram, agomelatine, and duloxetine may be effective options for patients. Ultimately, patients should discuss their treatment options with their doctor to determine the best course of action.