title: Safety considerations in drug treatment of depression in HIV-positive patients: an updated review.
abstract: Major depressive disorder (MDD) is one of the most prevalent illnesses associated with HIV infection, and negatively affects medication adherence, disease progression and mortality in HIV disease. Co-morbid treatment of major depression in HIV disease is the optimal therapeutic approach, but discriminating MDD from normal fluctuations in mood state, personality or physiology is difficult. Definitive diagnosis of MDD is critical for drug safety and for avoiding unnecessary exposure to psychotropic medications. HIV patients respond to antidepressant treatment like the general population, and medication adverse effects and patient adherence are the best predictors of treatment outcome. This review attempts to assist the medical provider with the diagnosis and treatment of MDD in HIV patients. We outline the initial steps in screening and psychiatric referral, the antidepressants that are particularly useful in HIV-infected patients, and the adverse effects and pharmacological strategies for overcoming potential barriers to medication adherence. Potential interactions between the various classes of antidepressants and HIV/antiretroviral therapy, as well as management of HIV medication-related psychiatric adverse effects, are also discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA.
authors.forename: Crystal C
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Watkins
authors.forename: Andrew A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Pieper
authors.forename: Glenn J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Treisman
mesh_terms: D019380:Anti-HIV Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006679:HIV Seropositivity / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D055118:Medication Adherence
chemical_list: D019380:Anti-HIV Agents; D000928:Antidepressive Agents