Pharmacological Management of Depression in Adults

In this article

• Drug treatment in adults – general principles
• Antidepressant Choice
• Dose titration and response
• Treatment with SSRIs
• Tricyclic antidepressants
• Venlafaxine
• Other antidepressants are they still an option?
• Changing from one antidepressant to another
• Stopping drug therapy
• Pregnancy

In this article

Antidepressant Choice

All antidepressant drugs are approximately equal in effectiveness, although individual patient response may vary markedly.¹⁰

For most indications the SSRIs are considered first-line as they are better tolerated and have a wider safety margin than the tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) and irreversible nonselective monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs).¹¹

MAOIs (phenelzine, tranylcypromine) are now rarely used because of their severe, and potentially fatal, interactions with some foods and medications. They should only be initiated by psychiatrists familiar with their use.

Moclobemide may be useful, particularly in patients who are intolerant of the adverse effects of other antidepressants. The evidence suggests that it works at least in moderate depression but maybe less effective in severe depression. It provides an option when the patient is unable to tolerate anything else.

Choice of antidepressant is also based on individual patient factors. If a patient has responded well to an antidepressant in the past then that drug should be considered first choice. Concurrent medical and psychiatric illnesses e.g. epilepsy, cardiovascular disease and bipolar disorder will also influence choice.

Other factors to consider include:

• adverse effect profile of the drug or drug class e.g. activating effects of an SSRI may be useful when hypersomnia is a presenting symptom
• potential for drug interactions
• toxicity in overdose, as well as the likelihood that the patient will attempt a deliberate overdose

For more information see Table 3

Dose titration and response

SSRIs can often be started with a 20 mg daily dose (for citalopram, fluoxetine and paroxetine) with no further dose increases. This will be sufficient for many adults.

When using TCAs, start with a low dose and increase slowly e.g. start with 25–50 mg of nortriptyline and increase by 25 mg every third night to 100 mg.

It is usual to take SSRIs in the morning due to the risk of insomnia and TCAs at night because they may be sedative.

Dose titration for both SSRIs and TCAs is usually slower for anxious patients as they appear more sensitive to side effects. It is not unusual for anxious patients to have more anxiety during the titration of SSRIs. Starting dose can be 10 mg of citalopram, fluoxetine or paroxetine. After a week, if the patient tolerates the medication, the dose can be increased.

Regular symptom review and monitoring of suicide risk are essential adjuncts to drug treatment. An assessment tool such as the Patient Health Questionnaire for Depression (PHQ-9) can be used to assist in the monitoring of treatment response in an adult with depression.¹

An adult with depression who is responding to antidepressant treatment should normally continue to take the antidepressant for at least 6 months after remission (not just after the initial response) of an episode of depression in order to reduce the risk of relapse.¹

Patients who have had two or more depressive episodes in the recent past, and who have experienced significant functional impairment during the episodes, should be advised to continue antidepressants for 2 years.

When withdrawing treatment on completion or otherwise, reduce the dose gradually over at least 4 weeks to avoid discontinuation symptoms.

Treatment with SSRIs

SSRIs are better tolerated and are safer in overdose than other classes of antidepressants. No single SSRI has a significantly better safety or effectiveness.

If the first SSRI tried is not tolerated or does not work it is reasonable to try another SSRI.

When selecting an SSRI factors that influence patient tolerability become important such as drug interaction potential, severity of withdrawal syndrome and side effects.

Interaction potential

SSRIs are metabolised by different isoenzymes, hence their potential for interaction varies which may influence drug choice.¹¹ Citalopram is a relatively weak inhibitor of CYP2D6 compared with the other SSRIs, and thus it interacts with a more limited range of drugs than fluoxetine and paroxetine.

The most important interactions are those with other drugs that affect serotonergic neurotransmission as these can lead to serotonin toxicity and, in severe cases, serotonin syndrome

Features of serotonin toxicity (see Table 4) may be relatively mild, such as tremor and low grade restlessness. This may indicate the need to modify drug therapy. Serotonin syndrome is the most severe form of serotonin toxicity characterised by a recognised cluster of prominent and severe clinical features that usually require supportive management and stopping the causative agent(s). If severe, refer immediately to an emergency department

A number of drugs and herbal products (principally St John’s Wort) have serotonergic activity and can cause serotonin toxicity or the syndrome if given alone, especially in high doses. The potential for toxicity is increased if these agents are given in combination (Table 5). For example there is the potential for a toxic interaction if St John’s Wort is given with Fluoxetine, or if paroxetine is given with tramadol.

SSRIs can interfere with haemostasis, due to action on serotonin release from platelets, and may increase the risk of bleeding. Risk of upper gastrointestinal tract bleeding in patients taking SSRIs is significantly increased when an SSRI is combined with a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug or low dose aspirin. Patients vulnerable to GI bleeding (e.g. those with a history of peptic ulcer disease, oesophageal varices or who are undergoing surgery) should be observed carefully, considered for an alternative class of antidepressant or given a protective drug.¹¹

For further information on interactions refer: BPJ Special Edition, March 2007. Paroxetine Medication Brand change: Drug Interactions with Antidepressants.¹²

Adverse Effects

The SSRIs have a similar adverse effect profile (Table 6).

Gastrointestinal effects and insomnia are generally mild and transient, and can often be minimised by taking the SSRI in the morning, with food. SSRIs are usually activating but if sedation is predominant they can be given at night instead of the morning.

Sexual problems, such as decreased libido and difficulty achieving orgasm, occur in around 40% of people taking SSRIs, and in around 30% of cases the problem is likely to be drug-related, though estimates vary widely. A temporary dose reduction or a trial of specific phosphodiesterase inhibitors could be considered.¹

All SSRIs can cause agitation, therefore in people in whom anxiety is a factor it is advisable to start with a low dose (about half the usual starting dose) and increase the dose slowly. Paroxetine appears to cause more anticholinergic effects (dry mouth, blurred vision, constipation) and for this reason it may be less suitable in elderly patients.

Suicidal ideation

Early contact in the first week of treatment is important to enquire about suicidal ideation and about any increase in symptoms.¹

In the first few days of treatment with an SSRI an increase in anxiety, restlessness or agitation may occur. This can be very distressing and may be associated with increased suicidality. Patients should be advised to contact the practitioner if this happens. A change of medication could be discussed in these circumstances if the cause appears to be related to medication rather than other stressors.

Discontinuation syndrome

After cessation of an SSRI the most commonly reported discontinuation symptoms include dizziness, nausea, anxiety, vivid dreams and headache (Table 7). Occasionally, electric shock-like sensations are reported. Usually these symptoms are mild, last one to two weeks, and are rapidly reversed with reinstitution of the SSRI.¹¹

SSRIs with shorter half-lives, such as paroxetine, have a higher incidence of withdrawal symptoms. Fluoxetine is the SSRI least likely to be associated with a discontinuation syndrome due to its long half-life.

Discontinuation symptoms usually begin within one to three days after abrupt cessation of the SSRI. To avoid discontinuation symptoms a continuous supply of medication and good compliance is necessary. When the decision is made to stop therapy, gradual withdrawal over at least four weeks is recommended. Generally, the higher the dose, the longer the withdrawal period.

Cautions

Previous response to a drug is a good predictor of response to treatment of later episodes. Hence when a patient has responded well to an agent such as a TCA in the past it makes sense to consider that drug as first choice.

If the patient has experienced unacceptable side effects to an SSRI e.g. agitation, then it is best to avoid that agent. However it may be worth trying another SSRI before switching to another class.

Caution is recommended when using an SSRI with co-morbid conditions such as epilepsy or diabetes.

All psychotropics lower the seizure threshold, but if the person is well controlled on antiepileptic medication then SSRIs are very unlikely to affect seizure control. SSRIs are considered the antidepressants of choice in patients with concurrent cardiac disorders as TCAs have a greater risk of cardiotoxicity.

In patients with diabetes SSRIs may affect glycemic control. Hypoglycaemia has occurred during therapy and hyperglycaemia has developed following discontinuation. Insulin and/or oral hypoglycaemic dosage may need to be adjusted when an SSRI is initiated or discontinued.

SSRIs are generally contraindicated if the patient enters a manic phase. Manic phase should lead to psychiatric review.

Tricyclic antidepressants

Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) are appropriate as a second-line treatment if there has been an unsatisfactory response to an SSRI. They can also be considered in those who have previously responded to a TCA.

All TCAs cause anticholinergic side effects (such as dry mouth, blurred vision, constipation, urinary retention and sweating), sedation and postural hypotension. Usual recommendations are to start with a low dose and titrate up to the full therapeutic dose as quickly as the patient can tolerate this.

TCAs can cause ventricular arrhythmias in the absence of adequate oxygenation of heart muscle (e.g., with ischaemic heart disease) and in overdose. TCAs are very toxic in overdose and seizures can occur.¹

Nortriptyline is less sedating, and less likely to cause hypotension or anticholinergic effects, than amitriptyline, dothiepin, doxepin and imipramine.¹⁰

Venlafaxine

Venlafaxine is a SNRI (serotonin and noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor) and is subsidised by PHARMAC for treating depression that has failed to respond to adequate trials of two other antidepressants.

The reuptake effects of venlafaxine are dose dependent. At low doses (<150 mg/day), the drug acts like the SSRIs. At intermediate to high doses, the additional effects on noradrenaline reuptake become important.

Nausea, agitation, sexual dysfunction and insomnia at low doses of venlafaxine are probably mediated by effects on postsynaptic serotonergic receptors.

At intermediate to high doses, additional adverse effects such as raised blood pressure and headache are observed in some patients, these effects are probably due to an action on adrenergic receptors.

Venlafaxine has not been evaluated in patients with a recent history of myocardial infarction or unstable heart disease and needs to be used with caution in these patients. Increase in blood pressure and serum cholesterol can occur with venlafaxine and monitoring is recommended. Like the SSRIs, venlafaxine has been associated with increased bleeding, including upper gastrointestinal bleeding.¹³

Vocationally trained GPs can prescribe extended release venlafaxine (Efexor-XR) under special authority for people who have trialed and failed to respond to two antidepressants for an adequate time (usually at least 4 weeks).

Refer: BPJ, Oct 2006. Venlafaxine: how and when to use.

Other antidepressants are they still an option?

Mianserin and maprotiline should be avoided due to the significant risk of serious adverse effects and there are very limited indications for the use of the irreversible MAOIs.

Mianserin

Mianserin use in New Zealand was associated with a series of deaths from agranulocytosis which led to its use being restricted under special authority to patients who also had cardiovascular disease or bladder neck obstruction. SSRIs were not available at that time and are suitable for most indications when mianserin would have been used.

Maprotiline

Seizures have been reported in patients receiving maprotiline and have occurred principally in those with no previous history of seizures. It has generally been suggested that maprotiline may be associated with a higher incidence of seizures than the tricyclic antidepressants.

Maprotiline has been withdrawn in some countries, including Australia.

Tranylcypromine/Phenelzine

There are limited indications for the use of these agents. If an irreversible MAOI is being considered then the patient probably requires specialist review. GPs need to remain aware of the major and potentially fatal interactions with other drugs, including some analgesics

Changing from one antidepressant to another

Some patients do not respond to the first antidepressant prescribed and need to be changed to another drug. There are no hard and fast rules to guide which drug to switch to. Similar factors that governed the initial drug choice may be relevant and there may be some logic in trying a drug from a different class. However, a response or better tolerability is often seen by changing to another drug from the same class, (e.g. switching from fluoxetine to citalopram). This may be explained by subtle differences in pharmacology or differences in drug metabolism and genetic polymorphism.

When switching drugs, consider the need for washout periods, cross tapering and the management of discontinuation syndrome.An appropriate interval when changing from one antidepressant to another is recommended to avoid interactions. General recommendations are given in the Table 8, based on the pharmacokinetics of the parent drug and of active metabolites where appropriate. However, this is only a guide and strategies may vary according to individual factors.

Higher doses of medication should be tapered before commencing a change of drug and the new drug should be started at a low dose.

Stopping drug therapy

Antidepressants that have been taken regularly for at least six weeks must not be discontinued abruptly, unless a serious adverse effect has occurred. Stopping treatment quickly can sometimes cause discontinuation symptoms. It is best to reduce the dose gradually over at least four weeks, but slower withdrawal may be necessary after longer periods, for example, over six weeks after a six month course.

Pregnancy

Decisions about management must be individualised and should be guided by life history of depression (number and severity of episodes), prior occurrence of depression during pregnancy or postpartum, and severity of symptoms at the time of conception and throughout the pregnancy.

Close monitoring by a psychiatrist may be required.

When antidepressants are the treatment of choice, SSRIs, except paroxetine, are recommended as an appropriate first-line therapy for most women.

Paroxetine should be avoided in pregnancy due to teratogenic risk, in accordance with Medsafe advice.¹⁴ Some practitioners may recommend shorter-acting SSRIs such as citalopram, but the longer half-life of fluoxetine means that any neonatal withdrawal effects are likely to be more gradual. For women at risk of preterm birth, the practitioner may wish to consider the use of a TCA in preference to an SSRI, as there is some evidence that SSRIs may increase the risk of premature labour.¹

References and Appendices