Pharmacotherapy of posttraumatic stress disorder: treatment options, long-term follow-up, and predictors of outcome.
Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a prevalent and disabling condition. Treatment is essential to reduce symptoms, increase the patient's functioning and well-being, and reduce comorbidity with other psychological disorders. Evidence suggests that psychopharmacologic therapy can be effective in PTSD. This article considers clinical data for various pharmacologic treatment options for PTSD; in particular, several recent studies of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors are examined. The long-term effects of pharmacotherapy and issues concerning patient management are also discussed.
Davidson
J R
JR
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA. tolme@acpub.duke.edu
D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D005473:Fluoxetine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008996:Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017374:Paroxetine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010879:Piperazines; D012702:Serotonin Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014230:Triazoles / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000927:Anticonvulsants; D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic; D005473:Fluoxetine; D008996:Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors; D017374:Paroxetine; D010879:Piperazines; D012702:Serotonin Antagonists; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors; D014230:Triazoles; C051752:nefazodone