Treatment of Depression Flashcards
MDD
Major Depressive Disorder
Diagnosis of MDD
- at least 5 out of 9 symptoms (In.S.A.D.C.A.G.E.S)
- must have In & D
- for most of the same 2 week period
- causing significant distress or functional impairment
- symptoms are not drug-induced / secondary to other medical conditions
Goal of therapy
- Hamilton Rating Scale =< 7
- Remission of symptoms / symptoms free
- Treatment adherence
- Suicide prevention
Non-pharmacological therapy (4)
- Sleep hygiene
- Psychotherapy
- cannot monotherapy in moderate-severe MDD - Electroconvulsive Treatment (ECT) (more severe & refractory MDD)
- Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) (less invasive)
Pharmacological therapy + Adjunctives
- Anti-depressants
- SSRI, SNRI, Mirtazapine (NaSSA) & Bupropion
> Agomelatine & Vortioxetine
> TCA
> MAOi - Adjunctive medications
- anxiolytics
- hypnotics
- short course, PRN
- only if needed
Duration of antidepressant treatment
Acute phase
- 4-8 weeks (max 12 weeks)
Continuation phase
- 4-9 months
Total duration : at least 6-12 months
Duration for physical symptoms treatment (eg poor sleep)
1-2 weeks
Duration for mood symptoms treatment
> 6 weeks
- due to downregulation of pre-synaptic autoreceptors to prevent negative feedback regulation of neurotransmitter secretion into synaptic space
- leads to disinhibition & promotion of neurotransmitter release
Efficacy among antidepressants
All have similar efficacy for uncomplicated first episode of MDD
Duloxetine
SNRI
Also indicated for :
- diabetic peripheral neuropathy
- fibromyalgia
- chronic musculoskeletal pain
All serotonergic agents (SSRI, SSRI, TCA, SMS) ADR
- GI effects
2. SD
Venlafaxine ADR
- worsens HTN
Mirtazapine ADR
- sedation
- weight gain (due to increased appetite)
Mirtazapine benefit
Reduce SD
Bupropion CI
- history of seizures
- psychosis
- eating disorders
Bupropion benefit
No SD effect cos NDRI (no serotonergic effects)
TCAs ADR (6)
- Anticholinergic (dry mouth, blurred vision, constipation)
- Sedation
- Orthostatic hypotension
- Arrhythmias
- Seizures
- Fatal on overdose