J Korean Neuropsychiatr Assoc.  2013 Sep;52(5):372-385.

Evidence-Based Korean Pharmacological Treatment Guideline for Depression, Revised Edition (II) : Antidepressant Efficacy Compared with Placebo, Difference in Efficacy of Antidepressants, and Appropriate Time of Efficacy Judgment in Antidepressant Therapy

• Sung SH
• Park SC
• Han KM
• Won ES
• Lee HY
• Koo JW
• Paik JW
• Lee KM
• Jeon HJ
• Lee MS
• Shim SH
• Ko YH
• Lee KJ
• Han C
• Ham BJ
• Choi J
• Hwang TY
• Oh KS
• Park YC
• Lee MS
• Hahn SW

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
The purpose of this study was to suggest recommendations of antidepressant efficacy compared with placebo, difference in efficacy of antidepressants, and appropriate time of efficacy judgment in antidepressant therapy.
METHODS
Using recommendations from 12 international and domestic clinical practice guidelines for depression, drawing of recommendation drafts, and peer review, the executive committee developed the guideline.
RESULTS
Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOI), selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI), serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), norepinephrine and specific serotonergic antidepressants (NaSSAs), norepinephrine and dopamine reuptake inhibitors (NDRIs), and serotonin antagonist and reuptake inhibitors (SARIs) were strongly recommended as having antidepressant efficacy compared with placebo. Difference in efficacy of antidepressants was as follows. TCAs, MAOI, SSRI, SNRIs, and NaSSAs were strongly recommended, however, NDRIs, SARIs were weakly recommended. If there was no or minimal improvement with treatment, appropriate time of efficacy judgment in antidepressant therapy was estimated to be after two to four weeks.
CONCLUSION
We hope that the results of this study will be helpful in encouraging the optimal treatment by understanding antidepressant efficacy compared with placebo, difference in efficacy of antidepressants, and appropriate time of efficacy judgment in antidepressant therapy.

Keyword

Major depressive disorder; Guideline; Antidepressant; Placebo; Difference in efficacy; Appropriate time; Efficacy judgment

MeSH Terms

Antidepressive Agents*
Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic
Depression*
Depressive Disorder, Major
Dopamine Uptake Inhibitors
Judgment*
Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors
Norepinephrine
Peer Review
Serotonin
Serotonin Uptake Inhibitors
Antidepressive Agents
Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic
Dopamine Uptake Inhibitors
Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors
Norepinephrine
Serotonin
Serotonin Uptake Inhibitors

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