Third-generation antidepressants: Do they offer advantages over the SSRIs?

Abstract

Since the discovery of the first effective antidepressant, imipramine, 50 years ago, there have been a number of developments in the pharmacological treatment of major depression. The last decade has seen the emergence of a third wave of antidepressant medication of variable mode of action. The so-called 'third generation' of antidepressants includes venlafaxine, mirtazapine, reboxetine and nefazodone.