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 .
A controlled trial of paroxetine for chronic PTSD, dissociation, and interpersonal problems in mostly minority adults.
This study evaluated the efficacy of paroxetine for symptoms and associated features of  chronic posttraumatic stress disorder ( PTSD ) , interpersonal problems , and dissociative symptoms in an urban population of mostly minority adults . Adult out patients with a primary DSM-IV diagnosis of chronic PTSD received 1 week of single-blind placebo  ( N = 70 ) . Those not rated as significantly improved were then r and omly assigned to placebo ( N = 27 ) or paroxetine ( N = 25 ) for 10 weeks , with a flexible dosage design ( maximum 60 mg by week 7 ) . Significantly more patients treated with paroxetine were rated as responders ( 14/21 , 66.7 % ) on the Clinical Global Impression-Improvement Scale ( CGI-I ) compared to patients treated with placebo ( 6/22 , 27.3 % ) . Mixed effects models showed greater reductions on the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale ( CAPS ) total score ( primary plus associated features of PTSD ) in the paroxetine versus placebo groups . Paroxetine was also superior to placebo on reduction of dissociative symptoms [ Dissociative Experiences Scale ( DES ) score ] and reduction in self-reported interpersonal problems [ Inventory of Interpersonal Problems ( IIP ) score ] . In a 12-week maintenance phase , paroxetine response continued to improve , but placebo response did not . Paroxetine was well tolerated and superior to placebo in ameliorating the symptoms of chronic PTSD , associated features of PTSD , dissociative symptoms , and interpersonal problems in the first trial conducted primarily in minority adults
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 .