title: Tianeptine in the combined treatment of combat related posttraumatic stress disorder.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of tianeptine, an antidepressant that acts by increasing serotonin reuptake, in the treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder and to compare the effects of tianeptine and fluoxetine, an antidepressant from the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors class.
  
  
  METHODS
  43 war veterans suffering from posttraumatic stress disorder were included in the study. During the 5.5 months of treatment 21 patients were receiving tianeptine and 22 were receiving fluoxetine. In addition, all patients took part in intensive trauma specific group psychotherapy. The effects of the two antidepressants on symptoms of PTSD, depression and anxiety after 5.5 months of treatment were assessed using the Harvard Trauma Questionnaire, Beck Depression Inventory, STAI and the List of Drug Use and Side Effects.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was no significant difference between the two treatment groups regarding their effect on symptoms and severity of depression. The level of anxiety was the same in the first measurement but the difference became significant in other three measurements in favor of tianeptine. The anxiolytics and other co-prescribed drugs remain the same in both groups, the use of analgesics significantly increase in fluoxetine group during the course of treatment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The study demonstrated that tianeptine is as effective as fluoxetine in the treatment of PTSD, with even stronger effect on anxiety and equal tolerance.
authors.affiliation: University of Rijeka, Department of Psychiatry and Psychological Medicine, Cambierieva 15, Rijeka, Croatia.
authors.forename: Tanja
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Frančišković
authors.forename: Zoran
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Suković
authors.forename: Sanja
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Janović
authors.forename: Aleksandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Stevanović
authors.forename: Iva
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Nemčić-Moro
authors.forename: Ika
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Rončević-Gržeta
authors.forename: Marina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Letica-Crepulja
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D018687:Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001007:Anxiety / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D003130:Combat Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003863:Depression / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D005473:Fluoxetine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011615:Psychotherapy, Group / Q000379:methods; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013841:Thiazepines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D018687:Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation; D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic; D013841:Thiazepines; D005473:Fluoxetine; C050504:tianeptine