Adverse effects associated with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and tricyclic antidepressants: a meta-analysis

Table 1: Crude rates* of occurrence of 18 adverse effects reported in 84 randomized controlled trials of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and tricylic antidepressants (TCAs)
		Type of drug; no of patients
		SSRIs		TCAs
Adverse effect†	No. of trials	With adverse effect	Total	With adverse effect	Total	Type of drug; crude rate,‡ %		Crude rate difference, %
						SSRIs	TCA
Constipation	49	315	2789	614	2790	11	22	–11
Dizziness	37	311	2229	514	2214	14	23	–9
Hypotension	8	27	289	47	301	9	16	–6
Dry mouth	56	660	3008	810	2954	22	27	–5
Blurred vision	19	102	1072	141	1005	10	14	–5
Sweating	27	173	1653	225	1605	10	14	–4
Urinary disturbance	14	67	1165	98	1133	6	9	–3
Palpitations	11	38	1029	54	1068	4	5	–1
Fatigue	23	128	1318	143	1296	10	11	–1
Tremor	37	296	2000	285	1904	15	15	–0
Anorexia	11	95	1030	72	940	9	8	2
Nervousness	14	104	755	72	687	14	10	3
Agitation	11	76	613	44	543	12	8	4
Headache	32	297	1649	219	1598	18	14	4
Insomnia	32	232	1903	129	1829	12	7	5
Anxiety	17	113	825	62	841	14	7	6
Diarrhea	15	146	889	32	718	16	4	12
Nausea	56	750	2936	323	2868	26	11	14
*Crude rates and crude rate differences are biased estimates because variability within the sample and between the samples is not included. Crude rate differences were calculated from unrounded crude rates, but both crude rates and crude rate differences are presented here as whole numbers only. Therefore, some crude rate differences do not correspond exactly to the crude rates presented here (e.g., for hypotension). †In order of crude rate difference. ‡Percentage of patients with the adverse effect.

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