A Primary Care Perspective on Management of Acute and Long-Term Depression

This paper, presented at a 1993 symposium “Current Issues in Drug Therapy of Depression,” examines serotonin selective reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), like fluoxetine, & notes these new antidepressants have a more benign side effect profile & are much safer in overdose than older drugs. However, patient education is essential, recognition of the recurrent nature of depression is mandatory & chronic full-dose prophylactic therapy is often necessary. SSRIs assist in compliance to treatment.(49 refs.)