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 .
Pharmacotherapy of post-traumatic stress disorder with a novel psychotropic.
This was a multicenter , r and omized , double-blind , parallel trial conducted in out patients in three countries . Following screening and placebo washout , patients received brofaromine ( a combined MAO-A inhibitor/5-HT transport inhibitor ) or placebo in a flexible dosing design . Based upon the CAPS , a st and ardized post-traumatic stress disorder ( PTSD ) interview , findings from a cohort involving both subchronic and chronic traumatic stress marginally favored brofaromine over placebo ; however , not to a statistically significant degree . With a more conservation definition of the syndrome , employing a primary cohort of patients with PTSD of one year or greater duration , brofaromine significantly reduced PTSD symptoms in comparison with placebo . In all analyses a substantial proportion of patients in both drug and placebo groups remained symptomatic throughout . Findings were supported by an analysis of secondary measures .  Brofaromine may be of benefit in the therapy of PTSD
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 .