Placebo-controlled efficacy of antidepressants in continuation treatment

Abstract

The treatment of depression requires a period of continuation treatment following treatment of the acute symptoms to consolidate the clinical response. Most investigators advocate a continuation phase of 4–6 mo. Establishing the need for continuation treatment of the acute episode has had implications for demonstrating the efficacy of longer-term prophylactic treatment. Prophylaxis is aimed at reducing the risk of new episodes of depression in patients with the recurrent disorder, and efficacy in this aspect of treatment is expected to be shown for new antidepressant medications separately from efficacy in acute treatment. Placebo-controlled studies have focused on tricyclic antidepressants, including amitriptyline, imipramine, maprotiline, and dothiepin, as well as serotonin reuptake inhibitors, such as sertraline, paroxetine, and citalopram. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved)

Accession Number: 1994-46294-001. PMID: 8021438 Partial author list: First Author & Affiliation: Montgomery, S. A.; St Mary's Hosp Medical School, London, England. Release Date: 19941201. Publication Type: Journal (0100), Peer Reviewed Journal (0110). Format Covered: Print. Document Type: Journal Article. Language: English. Major Descriptor: Antidepressant Drugs; Drug Therapy; Major Depression; Serotonin; Treatment Duration. Classification: Clinical Psychopharmacology (3340). Population: Human (10). Page Count: 5. Issue Publication Date: Mar, 1994.