| Summary: | PURPOSE: We compared the effectiveness and harms of second-generation antidepressants in the treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD), dysthymia, subsyndromal depression, seasonal affective disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, panic disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, social anxiety disorder, and premenstrual dysphoric disorder. DATA SOURCES: We searched PubMed, Embase, PsycINFO, the Cochrane Library, and the International Pharmaceutical Abstracts until September 2010. For additional data we also hand searched reference lists, US Food and Drug Administration medical and statistical reviews and dossiers submitted by pharmaceutical companies. REVIEW METHODS: Study selection, data abstraction, validity assessment, grading the strength of the evidence, and data synthesis were all carried out according to standard Drug Effectiveness Review Project review methods. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Overall, we found no substantial differences in comparative efficacy and effectiveness of second-generation antidepressants for the treatment of depressive or anxiety disorders. Differences exist in the incidence of specific adverse events and the onset of action. Except for MDD, the evidence is limited to few direct comparisons for most indications. No head-to-head evidence is available for MDD in pediatric populations, dysthymia, subsyndromal depression, seasonal affective disorder, and premenstrual dysphoric disorder
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