Adjunctive Mirtazapine for PTSD

Adding mirtazapine to a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor may increase remission in post-traumatic stress disorder and improve comorbid depression.

Psychotherapy is the treatment of choice for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) but may not be available or sufficient. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are the first-line medication treatment for PTSD but are not effective for many patients and are associated with high dropout. Because adding mirtazapine to an SSRI in patients with major depression improves outcomes, accelerates response, and lessens sexual dysfunction, researchers performed a 24-week, double-blind, randomized trial of sertraline plus either mirtazapine or placebo in civilian PTSD.

Participants were 36 adults with PTSD (mean age, 40; male, 36%); about half of the patients were Hispanic. Mean daily doses were about 120 mg of sertraline in both groups and 32…

Reviewing Author

Deborah Cowley, MD

Disclosures

Grant / Research supportHealth Resources and Services Administration; Katz Family Foundation

Deborah Cowley, MD

Disclosures

Grant / Research supportHealth Resources and Services Administration; Katz Family Foundation

Adjunctive Mirtazapine for PTSD

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Reviewing Author