Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are often utilized in treatments for depression. Their most common adverse drug reactions involve the digestive system, causing low compliance in patients with depression. Thus, assessing the safety of SSRIs with respect to the digestive system is crucial. A recent study compared the risks of various SSRIs (Fluoxetine, escitalopram, citalopram, paroxetine, and sertraline) for adverse reactions in the digestive system.

It systematically searched the literature and found 30 randomized controlled trials (n = 5004) of five antidepressants and placebos.

The study found that Fluoxetine showed the lowest probability of digestive side effects, ranking fifth at 0.548, while Sertraline showed the highest probability of digestive side effects, with a probability of 0.611. Regarding gastrointestinal tolerability, escitalopram showed superiority over paroxetine and sertraline.

These findings will help physicians apprehend the relative advantages of various antidepressants.

Ther Clin Risk Manag. 2022 Aug 13;18:799-812. Doi: 10.2147/TCRM.S363404. PMID: 35992228; PMCID: PMC9386738.