Proper use of antidepressants in the acute and maintenance phase treatment of depression

In spite of their different pharmacological profiles, a number of meta-analyses have shown that all antidepressants are equally effective in the treatment of major depression. However, there is the discordance between efficacy data and clinical observation. So then, how should we use antidepressants properly in the clinical setting? Toward rational pharmacotherapy, the selection of antidepressant medications will be based on their pharmacological profiles, clinical features of the patient, the anticipated side effects, and clinical trial data regarding the medication. During about 6 months following remission, the treatment that was effective in the acute phases should be used in the maintenance phase to prevent relapse.