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 preliminary study of lamotrigine for the treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder
BACKGROUND The anticonvulsant , lamotrigine , may be useful for symptom management in PTSD . METHODS Subjects enrolled in a 12-week double-blind evaluation of lamotrigine and placebo .  Patients were r and omized 2:1 to either lamotrigine or placebo . Lamotrigine was initiated at 25 mg/day and slowly titrated every 1 to 2 weeks over 8 weeks to a maximum dosage of 500 mg/day if tolerated . RESULTS Fifteen subjects entered treatment , fourteen of whom returned for subsequent visits . Of 10 patients who received lamotrigine , 5 ( 50 % ) responded according to the DGRP , compared to 1 of 4 ( 25 % ) who received placebo . Lamotrigine patients showed improvement on reexperiencing and avoidance/numbing symptoms compared to placebo patients . Treatments were generally well tolerated . CONCLUSIONS Lamotrigine may be effective as a primary psychopharmacologic treatment in both combat and civilian PTSD and could also be considered as an adjunct to antidepressant therapy used in the treatment of PTSD . These promising results warrant further large sample double-blind , placebo-controlled trials
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 .