Cochrane Review Shows Antidepressants Reduce Anxiety, But Long-Term Effects Remain Unclear
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A new Cochrane review confirms that antidepressants effectively reduce symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) under trial conditions, although there is limited data on long-term usage.
The review analyzed 37 randomized controlled trials with over 12,000 participants, comparing antidepressants to a placebo. Most trials recruited adults of both sexes. In most cases, there were slightly more female participants (~60%) which reflects the clinical prevalence of generalized anxiety disorder.
Results showed that antidepressants were more effective than placebo in reducing anxiety symptoms, with a 41% higher response rate among those taking the medication compared to those taking a placebo. The review found no significant difference in dropout rates between those taking antidepressants and those taking a placebo, indicating that these medications are generally well-tolerated.
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