Am Fam Physician. 2022;106(6):623-624
Author disclosure: No relevant financial relationships.
Clinical Question
Is pharmacotherapy effective for reducing symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in adults?
Evidence-Based Answer
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) improve symptoms of PTSD and are considered first-line pharmacologic agents. (Strength of Recommendation [SOR]: A, consistent, good-quality patient-oriented evidence.) Mirtazapine and amitriptyline also improve PTSD symptoms. (SOR: B, inconsistent or limited-quality patient-oriented evidence.) SSRI use is associated with an increased risk of treatment withdrawal because of adverse effects compared with placebo.1
Practice Pointers
PTSD is characterized by complex behavioral, somatic, and cognitive effects caused by a traumatic event. Psychotherapy and medications are used for treatment of PTSD. The lifetime prevalence of PTSD in North America is more than 9% for the general adult population and may be as high as 17% in U.S. veterans.2,3 The authors of the review sought to identify medications that are effective for reducing symptoms of PTSD in adults.
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