Medication

The long-term outcome appears better after psychosocial approaches than after drug treatment.

Antidepressants might help, especially if depression is prominent (ref 203). Drugs for PTSD are generally needed in higher doses and for longer than when used for depression.  Improvement may take up to eight weeks to manifest.

References

203 Stein DJ, Zungu-Dirwayi N, Van der Linden GJ, Seedat S. Pharmacotherapy for post-traumatic stress disorder (Cochrane Review). In: The Cochrane Library, Issue 2, 2003. Oxford: Update Software. (AI) Fifteen studies were examined. The research base is limited but there is increasing evidence that drugs can help in Post-traumatic stress disorder. Sertraline and paroxetine have been the most researched and have been shown to be effective. There is good evidence for the efficacy of fluoxetine and some evidence for tricyclic antidepressants and monoamine oxidase inhibitors.

Last edited: 26/1/2004

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