Escitalopram leads depression relapse analysis, but differences are modest

Escitalopram performed best at preventing a return of depression in an analysis of earlier studies, the BBC reports. The broadcaster said the comparison involved nearly 10,000 people prescribed different antidepressants for up to a year.

Agomelatine and duloxetine followed in the ranking, with fluoxetine, also known as Prozac, just below them. The analysis, published in The Lancet Psychiatry, compared more than a dozen common antidepressants.

The differences were modest. Professor Allan Young of the Royal College of Psychiatrists told the BBC that any small advantage was unlikely to outweigh individual factors such as side effects, previous response and patient preference when choosing a treatment.

Dr Sameer Jauhar of Imperial College London said the research could not tell doctors which antidepressant would work best for an individual. He added: “I would not interpret these findings as a reason for someone who is responding well to their current antidepressant to change treatment.”

The NHS advises people who want to stop taking an antidepressant to speak to their doctor rather than stop suddenly. A doctor can help agree a plan to reduce the dose gradually and manage withdrawal symptoms.