title: Augmentation strategies to increase antidepressant efficacy.
abstract: Augmentation strategies for the treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD) are needed when patients with MDD have not tolerated or responded to antidepressant monotherapies. Clinicians can employ sequenced treatment steps, preferably coupled with the use of a treatment algorithm, to utilize augmentation strategies that will enable patients to achieve remission. The focus of augmentation therapy has been combining an antidepressant medication with another antidepressant; however, atypical antipsychotics are becoming commonly used to augment antidepressants. Beyond antidepressants and antipsychotics, alternative augmentation strategies include emerging pharmacologic treatments and nonpharmacologic strategies.
authors: Department of Psychiatry, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA. richard.shelton@vanderbilt.edu
authors: Richard C
authors: RC
authors: Shelton
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D016642:Bupropion / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002065:Buspirone / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015283:Citalopram / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000628:therapy; D004357:Drug Synergism; D006801:Humans; D012074:Remission Induction; D017366:Serotonin Receptor Agonists / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D020280:Sertraline / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D016642:Bupropion; D002065:Buspirone; D015283:Citalopram; D017366:Serotonin Receptor Agonists; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors; D020280:Sertraline