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The Safety of Antidepressants

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Summary

In this article, a distinction is proposed between safe and less safe antidepressants. The safety of 18 antidepressants is discussed in relation to 3 principal issues: the safety of the drug in the event of an overdose; the seriousness of its side effects; and the existence of dangerous interactions. On the basis of present information, it can be said with reasonable confidence that fluoxetine, fluvoxamine and paroxetine are safe antidepressants, and with some reservation (mainly because of hypnosedation) the same can be said of mianserin and trazodone.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychiatry, University of Amsterdam, Academic Medical Centre, and Social Psychiatric Services Centre, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

    F. de Jonghe

  2. Outpatient Psychiatry Clinic, Academic Medical Centre, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

    J. A. Swinkels

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  1. F. de Jonghe
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  2. J. A. Swinkels
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de Jonghe, F., Swinkels, J.A. The Safety of Antidepressants. Drugs 43 (Suppl 2), 40–47 (1992). https://doi.org/10.2165/00003495-199200432-00007

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