The efficacy of sertraline for depression is similar to that of older tricyclic antidepressants, but its side effects are much less pronounced.

So the old tricyclic antidepressants make you know most people get a lot of side effects.

Even better, the newer drugs seemed free of the unpleasant side effects of older antidepressants, which caused, among other problems, constipation, weight gain and cardiac difficulties.

Many studies were conducted using older antidepressants, Dr. Rudorfer said, included only small numbers of patients or lacked rigorous scientific controls.

The older antidepressants can cause dry mouth and constipation.

SSRIs tend to have fewer side effects than older antidepressants.

People undoubtedly encountered this problem with older antidepressants, clinicians say.

In adults, the efficacy of paroxetine for depression is comparable to that of older tricyclic antidepressants, with fewer side effects and lower toxicity.

In adults, the efficacy of paroxetine for depression is comparable to that of older tricyclic antidepressants.

They also say the studies showed fewer adverse effects with St. John's wort than with older antidepressants such as the tricyclic drugs.