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 .
Sertraline in the treatment of co-occurring alcohol dependence and posttraumatic stress disorder.
BACKGROUND Posttraumatic stress disorder ( PTSD ) frequently co-occurs with alcohol use disorders . This study investigated the use of sertraline , a serotonin reuptake inhibitor , in treating co-occurring symptoms of alcohol dependence and PTSD . METHODS A total of 94 individuals with current alcohol dependence and PTSD were r and omly assigned to receive sertraline ( 150 mg/day ) or placebo for 12 weeks . Post hoc cluster analysis of baseline characteristics was used to define subgroups of participants . RESULTS There was a significant decrease in alcohol use during the trial in both the sertraline and the placebo groups . Cluster analysis revealed significant medication group by cluster interactions for alcohol-related outcomes . Sertraline-treated participants with less severe alcohol dependence and early-onset PTSD had significantly fewer drinks per drinking day ( p < 0.001 ) . For participants with more severe alcohol dependence and later onset PTSD , the placebo group had significantly greater decreases in drinks per drinking day ( p < 0.01 ) and average number of drinks consumed per day ( p < 0.05 ) . CONCLUSIONS There may be subtypes of alcohol-dependent individuals who respond differently to serotonin reuptake inhibitor treatment . Further investigation of differential responders may lead to improvements in the pharmacological treatment of co-occurring alcohol dependence and 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 .