Antidepressants Interchangeable According to Study

The class of drugs known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), used to treat depression, provides doctors with several choices to prescribe for their patients. The medications, which include Paxil, differ slightly chemically, but new research suggests that for the most part, these drugs are “interchangeable” and can be prescribed on the basis of things such as patient preference and cost.

Pregnant women are now discouraged from taking antidepressants during pregnancy as there is evidence to suggest that the drugs can cause a variety of birth defects that include cleft lip and palate, clubbed foot, cardiac and pulmonary ailments and skull and spine defects. Many women who have given birth to children with Paxil birth defects have filed lawsuits against GlaxoSmithKline, the drug’s manufacturer, alleging that it should have made them aware of the dangers before they became pregnant.

SSRIs are All “Equally Effective”

A new study, appearing in the December 6 issue of Annals of Internal Medicine, conducted by Dr. David Schlager, a clinical assistant professor of psychiatry and behavioral science at Texas A&M Health Science Center College of Medicine, concludes, “[SSRIs] are all equally effective.”

“They’re all interchangeable except for side effects,” he stated, adding that “psychiatrists do tend to exploit the side effect profile to find suitable medications for individual patients.”

Dr. Schlager, along with other researchers, looked at data from 234 previously published studies, which were randomized trials that included at least 1,000 participants. They found no differences in the effectiveness of the individual drugs – Paxil, Prozac, Zoloft and Celexa among them. Instead they found that the individual drugs all have slightly different side effects and can vary in how long they take to build up effective levels in the body. For example, Remeron (mirtazepine) takes effect most quickly, and Wellbutrin (bupropion) has fewer sexual side effects than Lexapro, Prozac, Zoloft or Paxil.

Physicians typically discuss the adverse side effects with patients before prescribing a particular antidepressant. “If a patient has insomnia, you would pick something more immediately sedating,” said Dr. Schlager. “If the patient has decreased appetite and weight loss, you would pick something more likely to cause weight gain like [Remeron].”

Cost is a Factor in Prescribing Antidepressants

The cost of antidepressants can vary greatly depending upon factors such as the individual patient’s prescription drug coverage, and which medication is prescribed. Prices can range from $20.00 to $200.00 for a 30 day supply. Doctors will work with patients to prescribe a medication that is either covered by insurance or affordable to the patient. The medications available in generic form are generally less expensive than the name-brand equivalents.

Prescription Still Mostly Trial-and-Error

The study concludes that antidepressant prescription is “still largely a trial-and-error process.”

“The real heart of the matter is, if they don’t respond to one type of antidepressant, is there any guidelines about what you should try next?” Dr. Schlager asked.

Protect Your Rights as a Consumer

If you or your partner took Paxil and believe it harmed your child, the Rottenstein Law Group would like to hear from you. Our Paxil lawyers at the Rottenstein Law Group have over 25 years of collective experience advocating for individuals in consumer product injury and mass tort cases.For a free, confidential legal consultation, complete our contact form and one of our lawyers will reach out to you. If you would like more information about whether filing a Paxil lawsuit is the best course of action for you, download our free brochure.