title: Fluoxetine in posttraumatic stress disorder.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This study was designed to establish the efficacy of the serotonin reuptake blocker fluoxetine in the treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
  
  
  METHODS
  64 subjects (22 women and 42 men; 31 veterans and 33 nonveterans) with PTSD entered a 5-week randomized double-blind trial comparing fluoxetine (N = 33) and placebo (N = 31).
  
  
  RESULTS
  By Week 5 fluoxetine, but not placebo, significantly reduced overall PTSD symptomatology, as assessed by the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS) score. Changes were most marked in the arousal and numbing symptom subcategories. Non-VA patients responded much better than VA patients. Fluoxetine was an effective antidepressant independent of its effects on PTSD.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Fluoxetine is an effective pharmacotherapeutic agent for treating PTSD and its associated features, particularly in patients without chronic treatment histories.
authors: Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston.
authors: B A
authors: BA
authors: van der Kolk
authors: D
authors: D
authors: Dreyfuss
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Michaels
authors: D
authors: D
authors: Shera
authors: R
authors: R
authors: Berkowitz
authors: R
authors: R
authors: Fisler
authors: G
authors: G
authors: Saxe
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000553:Ambulatory Care; D002648:Child; D002649:Child Abuse / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D002650:Child Abuse, Sexual / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005473:Fluoxetine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006787:Hospitals, Veterans; D006801:Humans; D008016:Life Change Events; D008297:Male; D010919:Placebos; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014728:Veterans / Q000523:psychology
chemical_list: D010919:Placebos; D005473:Fluoxetine