Drug development In the past 5 years, several strategies have been developed to improve depression outcomes, including the use of new compounds and several older drugs. An example is a report showing the benefit of ademetionine (S-adenosyl methionine [SAMe]) augmentation in major depressive disorder.125,126 One strategy focuses on the use of N-methyl-D-aspartate glutamate-receptor antagonists providing the promise of rapid antidepressant action,127 including clinically significant effects from one dose that were sustained for up to 1 week.128 Another study129 has suggested the use of repeated dose intravenous ketamine for the acute treatment of treatment-resistant depression. Although the effect of glutamate on depression is promising, this has not necessarily been the case for other novel pharmacological mechanisms. The failures of CRF1 antagonist compounds and substance-P antagonists have continually been noted. Another advance is the introduction of agomelatine —a melatonin (MT1 and MT2) agonist and a 5-HT2C-receptor antagonist. Agomelatine has shown a generally favourable tolerability and efficacy, therefore providing a promising alternative for patients who do not respond to existing pharmacotherapies, or who cannot tolerate their side-effects.130 Placebo-controlled research provides evidence for the effectiveness of agomelatine as both an acute and a continuation treatment for major depression.131–133
Suicide risk with SSRIs The safety of SSRIs has been debated because of their potential association with suicidal ideation and behaviour as noted from studies of adolescents with depression.134 Some work suggests that adults treated with antidepressant drugs, including SSRIs, are no more likely to attempt or complete suicide than those not treated with an antidepressant.134,135 However, other research suggests a reduced risk of suicide attempt in adults after start of SSRI treatment, particularly with sertraline,135 and in men.134 In 226 866 male veterans with depression, rates of suicide attempt were lower after the start of SSRI treatment than before, and compared with treatment with other antidepressants or no antidepressant.135 Similarly, a study of county-level data in the USA showed that a decrease in suicide rate was associated with SSRIs when prescribed in combination with non-SSRIs or non-tricyclic antidepressants.136 Despite these findings, caution is needed against strong conclusions being made on the basis of limited ecological analyses.137
Safety in pregnancy Data before 2000 provided weak evidence for an association between SSRIs and major fetal malformation. Since then, data have shown that paroxetine might be associated with major malformations, especially cardiac defects.138 Some evidence is available of an association between a neonatal behavioural syndrome and exposure to SSRIs in utero during the last trimester. This syndrome can be managed with supportive treatment in a special-care nursery.139 Presence of persistent pulmonary hyper tension in the neonate can also be associated with SSRIs taken late in pregnancy.138 Infants with continuous exposure to mother’s depression and continuous exposure to SSRIs throughout gestation were more likely to be born preterm than were infants with partial or no exposure.140 Guidelines suggest that SSRIs should be used with caution during pregnancy, and that paroxetine be avoided.141,142
Drug development In the past 5 years, several strategies have been developed to improve depression outcomes, including the use of new compounds and several older drugs. An example is a report showing the benefit of ademetionine (S-adenosyl methionine [SAMe]) augmentation in major depressive disorder.125,126 One strategy focuses on the use of N-methyl-D-aspartate glutamate-receptor antagonists providing the promise of rapid antidepressant action,127 including clinically significant effects from one dose that were sustained for up to 1 week.128 Another study129 has suggested the use of repeated dose intravenous ketamine for the acute treatment of treatment-resistant depression. Although the effect of glutamate on depression is promising, this has not necessarily been the case for other novel pharmacological mechanisms. The failures of CRF1 antagonist compounds and substance-P antagonists have continually been noted. Another advance is the introduction of agomelatine —a melatonin (MT1 and MT2) agonist and a 5-HT2C-receptor antagonist. Agomelatine has shown a generally favourable tolerability and efficacy, therefore providing a promising alternative for patients who do not respond to existing pharmacotherapies, or who cannot tolerate their side-effects.130 Placebo-controlled research provides evidence for the effectiveness of agomelatine as both an acute and a continuation treatment for major depression.131–133
Suicide risk with SSRIs The safety of SSRIs has been debated because of their potential association with suicidal ideation and behaviour as noted from studies of adolescents with depression.134 Some work suggests that adults treated with antidepressant drugs, including SSRIs, are no more likely to attempt or complete suicide than those not treated with an antidepressant.134,135 However, other research suggests a reduced risk of suicide attempt in adults after start of SSRI treatment, particularly with sertraline,135 and in men.134 In 226 866 male veterans with depression, rates of suicide attempt were lower after the start of SSRI treatment than before, and compared with treatment with other antidepressants or no antidepressant.135 Similarly, a study of county-level data in the USA showed that a decrease in suicide rate was associated with SSRIs when prescribed in combination with non-SSRIs or non-tricyclic antidepressants.136 Despite these findings, caution is needed against strong conclusions being made on the basis of limited ecological analyses.137
Safety in pregnancy Data before 2000 provided weak evidence for an association between SSRIs and major fetal malformation. Since then, data have shown that paroxetine might be associated with major malformations, especially cardiac defects.138 Some evidence is available of an association between a neonatal behavioural syndrome and exposure to SSRIs in utero during the last trimester. This syndrome can be managed with supportive treatment in a special-care nursery.139 Presence of persistent pulmonary hyper tension in the neonate can also be associated with SSRIs taken late in pregnancy.138 Infants with continuous exposure to mother’s depression and continuous exposure to SSRIs throughout gestation were more likely to be born preterm than were infants with partial or no exposure.140 Guidelines suggest that SSRIs should be used with caution during pregnancy, and that paroxetine be avoided.141,142
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