onset of action of SSRIs

Last reviewed 01/2018

• a systematic review revealed that treatment with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) is associated with symptomatic improvement in depression by the end of the first week of use, and the improvement continues at a decreasing rate for at least 6 weeks
  • this study specifically evaluated the effects of SSRIs at one week with that of placebo - the analysis found that effects at one week were true drug effects
    • analysis included studies of 6 commonly used SSRIs: escitalopram, citalopram, fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, paroxetine and sertraline

Reference:

1. Taylor MJ et al.Early onset of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor antidepressant action: systematic review and meta-analysis. Arch Gen Psychiatry. 2006 Nov;63(11):1217-23