title: Evidence-based guidelines for treating depressive disorders with antidepressants: A revision of the 2008 British Association for Psychopharmacology guidelines.
abstract: A revision of the 2008 British Association for Psychopharmacology evidence-based guidelines for treating depressive disorders with antidepressants was undertaken in order to incorporate new evidence and to update the recommendations where appropriate. A consensus meeting involving experts in depressive disorders and their management was held in September 2012. Key areas in treating depression were reviewed and the strength of evidence and clinical implications were considered. The guidelines were then revised after extensive feedback from participants and interested parties. A literature review is provided which identifies the quality of evidence upon which the recommendations are made. These guidelines cover the nature and detection of depressive disorders, acute treatment with antidepressant drugs, choice of drug versus alternative treatment, practical issues in prescribing and management, next-step treatment, relapse prevention, treatment of relapse and stopping treatment. Significant changes since the last guidelines were published in 2008 include the availability of new antidepressant treatment options, improved evidence supporting certain augmentation strategies (drug and non-drug), management of potential long-term side effects, updated guidance for prescribing in elderly and adolescent populations and updated guidance for optimal prescribing. Suggestions for future research priorities are also made.
authors.affiliation: Professor of Psychopharmacology & Affective Disorders, King's College London, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, Centre for Affective Disorders, London, UK anthony.cleare@kcl.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Anthony
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cleare
authors.affiliation: Professor of Biological Psychiatry, King's College London, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, Centre for Affective Disorders, London, UK.
authors.forename: C M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Pariante
authors.affiliation: Professor of Psychiatry and Chair of Mood Disorders, King's College London, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, Centre for Affective Disorders, London, UK.
authors.forename: A H
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Young
authors.affiliation: Professor and Honorary Consultant Psychiatrist, University of Manchester Department of Psychiatry, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.
authors.forename: I M
authors.initials: IM
authors.lastname: Anderson
authors.affiliation: Consultant Psychiatrist, Advanced Interventions Service, Ninewells Hospital & Medical School, Dundee, UK.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Christmas
authors.affiliation: Professor of Psychopharmacology, Psychopharmacology Research Unit, Neurosciences Building, University Department of Psychiatry, Warneford Hospital, Oxford, UK.
authors.forename: P J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Cowen
authors.affiliation: Professor of Psychological Medicine, University of Exeter Medical School and Devon Partnership Trust, Exeter, UK.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Dickens
authors.affiliation: Professor of Psychiatry, Honorary Consultant Psychiatrist, School of Neurology, Neurobiology & Psychiatry, Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.
authors.forename: I N
authors.initials: IN
authors.lastname: Ferrier
authors.affiliation: Head, Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Warneford Hospital, Oxford, UK.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Geddes
authors.affiliation: Director of the Mental Health and Addictions Research Group (MHARG), The Hull York Medical School, Department of Health Sciences, University of York, York, UK.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gilbody
authors.affiliation: Consultant Psychiatrist, Cromwell House, Greater Manchester West Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust, Salford, UK.
authors.forename: P M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Haddad
authors.affiliation: Division of Psychiatry, University College London, London, UK.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Katona
authors.affiliation: Division of Psychiatry, University College London, London, UK.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Lewis
authors.affiliation: Consultant in Neuropsychopharmacology and Neuromodulation, North Bristol NHS Trust, Rosa Burden Centre, Southmead Hospital, Bristol, UK.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Malizia
authors.affiliation: Reader in Clinical Psychopharmacology, Institute of Neuroscience, Newcastle University, Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.
authors.forename: R H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: McAllister-Williams
authors.affiliation: Reader in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Centre for Mental Health, Imperial College London, London, UK.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Ramchandani
authors.affiliation: Professor of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Neuroscience, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Scott
authors.affiliation: Professor of Psychopharmacology, King's College London, London, UK.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Taylor
authors.affiliation: Associate Professor, Canada Research Chair in Early Interventions, Dalhousie University, Department of Psychiatry, Halifax, NS, Canada.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Uher
mesh_terms: D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D032921:Consensus; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy*; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D006801:Humans; D055502:Secondary Prevention
chemical_list: D000928:Antidepressive Agents
keywords: Antidepressants; depression; depressive disorder; evidence-based guidelines; treatment