A comparative overview of SSRI-sertraline and SNRI-desvenlafaxine

Abstract

Depression is a mood disorder that causes a persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest. The common features of all the depressive disorders are sadness, emptiness, or irritable mood, accompanied by somatic and cognitive changes that significantly affect the individual’s capacity to function. Depression is commonly treated in primary care, and SSRI drugs are frequently used as the first line of treatment. Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) have the advantage of the ease of dosing and low toxicity in overdose. They are also the first-line medications for late-onset depression. Selective Serotonin and Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs), which include venlafaxine, desvenlafaxine, duloxetine, and levomilnacipran can be used as first-line agents, particularly in patients with significant fatigue or pain syndromes associated with the episode of depression. SNRIs also have an important role as second-line agents in patients who have not responded to SSRIs. The pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, uses, side effects, and contraindications of desvenlafaxine, an SNRI, and sertraline, an SSRI are compared in this article.