Meta-Analysis: Adjunctive atypical antipsychotic treatment for major depressive disorder

Source: PLoS Medicine Area: News Atypical antipsychotic medications are widely prescribed for the adjunctive treatment of depression, yet little is known about their total risk-benefit profile. This meta-analysis reviewed the efficacy and safety profiles of aripiprazole, olanzapine/fluoxetine combination (OFC), quetiapine, and risperidone used for the adjunctive treatment of depression.   The study which included 14 randomised controlled trials found that:   . All four drugs had significant effects on remission, as follows: aripiprazole (odds ratio [OR], 2.01; 95% CI, 1.48-2.73), OFC (OR, 1.42; 95% CI, 1.01-2.0), quetiapine (OR, 1.79; 95% CI, 1.33-2.42), and risperidone (OR, 2.37; 95% CI, 1.31-4.30). . The number needed to treat (NNT) was 19 for OFC and nine for each other drug. . All drugs with the exception of OFC also had significant effects on response rates, as follows: aripiprazole (OR, 2.07; 95% CI, 1.58-2.72; NNT, 7), OFC (OR, 1.30, 95% CI, 0.87-1.93), quetiapine ...
Source: NeLM - Mental Health - Category: Psychiatry Source Type: news