SSRIs in anxious-agitated depression: a post-hoc analysis of 279 patients.

A post-hoc analysis of nine controlled antidepressant trials examined the intensity of the initial anxiety and agitation of depressed patients improved by SSRIs compared with depressed patients improved by norepinephrine (NE) reuptake inhibitors, mixed NE/serotonin reuptake inhibitors and placebo. We report that SSRI responders were more anxious-agitated than NE reuptake inhibitor responders, suggesting a preferential efficacy of SSRIs in agitated depression.