title: Combination antidepressants - use by GPs and psychiatrists.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Current treatment of depression fails to achieve remission in 50% of patients. Combinations of two antidepressants are used by some Australian psychiatrists.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This article investigates the pros and cons of combination antidepressant therapy and provides suggestions for when to consider their use, which combinations to choose, and how to introduce combination antidepressant therapies.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Combining two antidepressants is a controversial strategy, with supporters and critics arguing its efficacy and safety from opposing perspectives. The use of combination antidepressant therapies may facilitate remission from depression. However, there is limited evidence supporting these treatments, and safety concerns are often cited. There is some support for combination therapies in selected cases from international bodies. After considering risks and benefits on a case-by-case basis, careful use of selected combination antidepressant therapy may be one of a range of effective treatments for some individuals suffering from depression.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. drhorgan@mac.com
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Horgan
authors.forename: Seetal
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Dodd
mesh_terms: D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001315:Australia; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination / Q000009:adverse effects; D058006:General Practice; D006801:Humans; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D011570:Psychiatry
chemical_list: D000928:Antidepressive Agents