Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
Review
. 2001:62 Suppl 18:12-7.

Switching antidepressants for treatment-resistant major depression

L B Marangell  1
Affiliations
  • PMID: 11575730
Review

Switching antidepressants for treatment-resistant major depression

L B Marangell. J Clin Psychiatry. 2001.

Abstract

A substantial proportion of patients suffering from major depression experience insufficient clinical response, despite appropriate treatment. Switching to a different monotherapy antidepressant medication is the preferred option for many patients and clinicians. The possible advantages of switching to a different monotherapy, as compared with adding a second agent (i.e., augmenting or combining), include reduced medication costs, fewer drug interactions, better adherence, and less patient burden over time. Response rates for switching, are based largely on open trials, which reveal a response rate of approximately 50%. These response rates are comparable to the response rates reported with augmentation or combination, again established largely by noncomparative open trials. This review article summarizes clinical considerations and available evidence regarding switching antidepressants in the treatment of major depression. Practical issues, such as when to consider switching and how to switch from one medication to another, are addressed.

PubMed Disclaimer

Similar articles

See all similar articles

Cited by

See all "Cited by" articles

MeSH terms

Substances