Fluoxetine in posttraumatic stress disorder.
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.
van der Kolk
B A
BA
Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston.
Dreyfuss
D
D
Michaels
M
M
Shera
D
D
Berkowitz
R
R
Fisler
R
R
Saxe
G
G
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
D010919:Placebos; D005473:Fluoxetine