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 for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Using Phenelzine or Imipramine
Sixty male veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder ( PTSD ) participated in an 8-week , r and omized trial comparing phenelzine ( N = 19 ) , imipramine ( N = 23 ) , and placebo ( N = 18 ) . Mean treatment retention was better on phenelzine ( 7.4 weeks ) than on imipramine ( 5.6 weeks ) or placebo ( 5.5 weeks ) . By week 5 , both medications significantly reduced PTSD symptoms , as assessed by the Impact of Events Scale ( IES ) , but the 44 % improvement on phenelzine was greater than the 25 % improvement on imipramine . The intrusion , but not the avoidance , subscale of the IES showed significant improvement , and the initial mild to moderate depressive symptoms did not significantly improve
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 .