Figure 5.

Efficacy and tolerability of antidepressants versus citalopram.

Notes: The odds ratio represents the odds (or likelihood) that an event will occur with a specific treatment compared to the odds that the same event will occur in the absence of that treatment. The odds ratios for eliciting a response (efficacy) and for tolerability were determined through a meta-analysis of 117 randomized controlled trials (25,928 participants). Here, tolerability is defined solely by the rates of trial discontinuation and did not factor in treatment-related adverse events, discontinuation symptoms, and social functioning. SSRIs are shown in black, and SNRIs and NDRIs are shown in green and blue, respectively. Mirtazapine, an α-2 antagonist, is shown in yellow.

Abbreviations: NDRI, norepinephrine–dopamine reuptake inhibitor; SNRI, serotonin–norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor; SSRI, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor.