Some antidepressants may work better than others long term – new study

Detailed summary

The research review set out to compare how well different antidepressants help people maintain improvements in depression. Here’s what you need to know.

A new review has found some antidepressants may be more effective than others at helping people reduce the severity of their symptoms of depression over the long term.

The research, published in The Lancet Psychiatry, found people taking escitalopram (commonly sold as Lexapro), duloxetine (Cymbalta) and agomelatine (Valdoxan) were more likely to report improved symptoms over the long term than those taking fluoxetine (Prozac). For those taking Lexapro and Cymbalta, they were also more likely to stay on their medications.

Around one in seven Australians will experience depression during their lifetime.

Treatment can involve psychological therapies, social support and lifestyle changes, such as doing more exercise. For some people, these approaches may be enough to support recovery. For others, adding an antidepressant can be an important part of treatment.

In 2024-2025, 3.8 million Australians were dispensed a prescription for an antidepressant.

If, after six to 12 months, the depressive episode has resolved, it may be appropriate to reduce, and eventually stop the antidepressant. But symptoms can occur when discontinuing antidepressants so it’s important this is done gradually, in consultation with a doctor.

Studies of real world antidepressant prescribing patterns in Australia suggest many people take antidepressants for longer than this. One 2022 study found nearly a quarter of those prescribed antidepressants were still receiving prescriptions for them two years later.

Another Australian study found people take antidepressants for an average of four years.

The researchers identified and reviewed 115 randomised controlled trials, involving more than 30,000 people. The researchers classified long-term use as six months or more. Their main analysis combined the results of 35 trials that directly compared one antidepressant with another.

Opening of the article, excerpted from The Conversation AU. To read the rest, open the article on the publisher's site.