Pharmacological management of depressive disorders. (December 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Cleare, Anthony J.; Duncko, Roman
• Is Part Of: Medicine. Volume 44:Number 12(2016)
• Page Start: 756
• Page End: 760
• Publication Date: 2016-12
• Subjects: Acute treatment -- antidepressant -- augmentation -- depression -- guideline -- next-step treatment -- recommendation; Medicine -- Periodicals; Medicine -- Periodicals; Médecine -- Périodiques; Médecine factuelle -- Périodiques; Medicine; Periodicals; Electronic journals; Electronic journals; 610
• DOI: 10.1016/j.mpmed.2016.09.004
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1357-3039

Abstract

Abstract: This article outlines current guidelines for the pharmacological treatment of depression. For acute treatment of moderate to severe depression in the absence of specific factors, the recommendation is treatment with a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor or mirtazapine. Other options for acute antidepressant treatment are discussed, and advantages and disadvantages of specific drugs are outlined. Recommendations for next-step treatment for patients with an inadequate response include increasing the dose, switching to another antidepressant, augmentation with another agent or using a combination of antidepressants. Again, recommendations for specific drugs are outlined, and the common advantages and disadvantages of specific drugs are listed in a table format. The options for non-pharmacological treatments are briefly explored in regards to symptom severity and other clinical features, and a list of non-pharmacological treatment options is provided.