Of the medication classes , evidence of treatment efficacy was most convincing for the SSRIs .
In addition , medication was superior to placebo in reducing  comorbid depression and disability .
Medication was also less well tolerated than placebo .
A narrative review of the 3 maintenance trials suggested that long-term medication may be required in treating PTSD .
CONCLUSION Medication treatments can be effective in treating PTSD , acting to reduce its core symptoms , as well as associated depression and disability , and should be considered as part of the treatment of this disorder .
The findings of this review support the status of SSRIs as first-line agents in the pharmacotherapy of PTSD , as well as their value in longterm treatment .
BACKGROUND Post-traumatic stress disorder ( PTSD ) is a prevalent and disabling condition .
Evidence that PTSD is characterized by specific psychobiological dysfunctions has contributed to a growing interest in use of medication in its treatment .
OBJECTIVES To assess the effects of medication in the treatment of PTSD .
Mirtazapine vs. placebo in posttraumatic stress disorder: a pilot trial
BACKGROUND Based on an earlier pilot study , as well as a theoretical consideration of its mechanism of action , we undertook a placebo-controlled , double-blind trial of mirtazapine in posttraumatic stress disorder . METHODS Twenty-nine patients were r and omized to receive  drug  up to 45 mg/day or placebo double-blind on a 2:1 ratio for 8 weeks , with data being available for analysis in 26 . Primary outcome measures comprised the Short Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Rating Interview ( SPRINT ) Global Improvement item and total score . Secondary measures comprised the Davidson Trauma Scale , Structured Interview for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale . Adverse events were also measured . RESULTS On the Short Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Rating Interview Global Improvement measure , rates of response were 64.7 % and 20.0 % for mirtazapine and placebo . Treatment effects in favor of mirtazapine were noted on the Short Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Rating Interview global , Structured Interview for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder , and Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale anxiety subscale scores . The drug was well tolerated . CONCLUSIONS Mirtazapine was more effective than placebo on some measures in posttraumatic stress disorder and general anxiety symptoms
Of the medication classes , evidence of treatment efficacy was most convincing for the SSRIs .
In addition , medication was superior to placebo in reducing  comorbid depression and disability .
Medication was also less well tolerated than placebo .
A narrative review of the 3 maintenance trials suggested that long-term medication may be required in treating PTSD .
CONCLUSION Medication treatments can be effective in treating PTSD , acting to reduce its core symptoms , as well as associated depression and disability , and should be considered as part of the treatment of this disorder .
The findings of this review support the status of SSRIs as first-line agents in the pharmacotherapy of PTSD , as well as their value in longterm treatment .
BACKGROUND Post-traumatic stress disorder ( PTSD ) is a prevalent and disabling condition .
Evidence that PTSD is characterized by specific psychobiological dysfunctions has contributed to a growing interest in use of medication in its treatment .
OBJECTIVES To assess the effects of medication in the treatment of PTSD .