Outpatient Drug Approvals for September 2013

Brintellix (vortioxetine) Tablets

Treatment for: Depression

Brintellix (vortioxetine) is a multimodal antidepressant for the treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD).

Comments:  

Similar to Cymbalta and offers no new benefits to patients with depression.  

Recommended Value Rating:  D (high-cost per success)

Maybe Antidepressants Do Help (in more severe depression)

My daily read of Marginal Revolution led me to this analysis of the PLoS Medicine article that lead the media to state that antidepressants do not work. I particularly liked the graphic that represented improving efficacy as the severity of depression increased.