Combination pharmacotherapy in unipolar depression.
It is estimated that between 60 and 80% of those with major depressive disorder do not achieve full symptomatic remission from first-line antidepressant monotherapy. Residual depressive symptoms substantially impair quality of life and add to the risk of recurrence. It is now clear that depression would benefit from more vigorous treatment, in order to ameliorate its disease burden. While there are established algorithms in situations of treatment resistance, the use of combination pharmacotherapy in unipolar depression is a relatively under-investigated area of treatment and may be an effective and tolerable strategy that maximizes the available resources. This paper reviews the current evidence for combination pharmacotherapy in unipolar depression and discusses its clinical applications.
Ng
Felicity
F
University of Melbourne, Department of Clinical and Biomedical Sciences: Barwon Health, PO Box 281, Geelong, Victoria, Australia. felicitn@barwonhealth.org.au
Dodd
Seetal
S
Berk
Michael
M
D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000145:classification; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000145:classification; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004338:Drug Combinations; D004357:Drug Synergism; D004358:Drug Therapy / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D004338:Drug Combinations