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 .
Fluoxetine in posttraumatic stress disorder.
BACKGROUND This study was design ed to establish the efficacy of the serotonin reuptake blocker fluoxetine in the treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder ( PTSD ) . METHOD 64 subjects ( 22 women and 42 men ; 31 veterans and 33 nonveterans ) with PTSD entered a 5-week r and omized double-blind trial comparing fluoxetine ( N = 33 ) and placebo ( N = 31 ) . RESULTS By Week 5 fluoxetine , but not placebo , significantly reduced overall PTSD symptomatology , as assessed by the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale ( CAPS ) score . Changes were most marked in the arousal and numbing symptom subcategories .  Non-VA patients responded much better than VA patients . Fluoxetine was an effective antidepressant independent of its effects on PTSD . CONCLUSION Fluoxetine is an effective pharmacotherapeutic agent for treating PTSD and its associated features , particularly in patients without chronic treatment histories
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 .