An analysis of randomized trials indicates that compared with placebo, the magnitude of benefit of antidepressant medications varies with the severity of depressive symptoms, and may provide little benefit for patients with mild or moderate depression, but appear to provide substantial benefit for patients with very severe depression, according to an article in the January 6 issue of JAMA. [continue reading…]

Antidepressant medications are the most commonly prescribed treatments in North America, yet 50 per cent of people do not respond adequately to antidepressant treatment. According to an important study published in the Archives of General Psychiatry,a key brain protein called monoamine oxidase A (MAO-A) – is highly elevated during clinical depression yet is unaffected by treatment with commonly used antidepressants.The study has important implications for our understanding of why antidepressants don’t always work. [continue reading…]

Women taking anti-cancer drug tamoxifen may have their disease come back if they use with it certain antidepressants, according to a new research.

Tumors were more than twice as likely to return after two years in women taking the antidepressants while on the cancer drug, compared with those taking tamoxifen alone, said the study presented Saturday at the American Society of Clinical Oncology meeting in Florida.

About 500,000 women in the United States take tamoxifen, which cuts in half the chances of a breast cancer recurrence. Many of them also take antidepressants for hot flashes, because hormone pills aren’t considered safe after breast cancer.

The research found that using drugs such as Prozac, Paxil or Zoloft can virtually wipe out the benefit tamoxifen provides.

Source:Xinhuanet