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 .
Efficacy and safety of paroxetine treatment for chronic PTSD: a fixed-dose, placebo-controlled study.
OBJECTIVE This study evaluated the efficacy and safety of paroxetine for the treatment of patients with chronic posttraumatic stress disorder ( PTSD ) . METHOD Out patients with chronic PTSD according to DSM-IV criteria and a score of 50 or more on the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale , part 2 , were r and omly assigned to take placebo ( N=186 ) , 20 mg/day of paroxetine ( N=183 ) , or 40 mg/day of paroxetine ( N=182 ) for 12 weeks . Efficacy was assessed by examining the change in total score from baseline to endpoint on the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale , part 2 , and rates of response ( " very much improved " or " much improved " ) for global improvement on the Clinical Global Impression scale . RESULTS Paroxetine-treated patients in both dose groups demonstrated significantly greater improvement on primary outcome measures compared to placebo-treated patients in the intent-to-treat analysis . Moreover , paroxetine treatment result ed in statistically significant improvement compared to placebo on all three PTSD symptom clusters ( reexperiencing , avoidance/numbing , and hyperarousal ) , social and occupational impairment , and comorbid depression .  Paroxetine was effective for both men and women . Treatment response did not vary by trauma type , time since trauma , or severity of baseline PTSD or depressive symptoms . Both doses were well tolerated . CONCLUSIONS Doses of 20 and 40 mg/day of paroxetine are effective and well tolerated in the treatment of adults with chronic 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 .