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Taylor RW, Marwood L, Oprea E, DeAngel V, Mather S, Valentini B, Zahn R, Young AH, Cleare AJ. Pharmacological Augmentation in Unipolar Depression: A Guide to the Guidelines. Int J Neuropsychopharmacol 2020; 23:587-625. [PMID: 32402075 PMCID: PMC7710919 DOI: 10.1093/ijnp/pyaa033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2020] [Revised: 04/27/2020] [Accepted: 05/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pharmacological augmentation is a recommended strategy for patients with treatment-resistant depression. A range of guidelines provide advice on treatment selection, prescription, monitoring and discontinuation, but variation in the content and quality of guidelines may limit the provision of objective, evidence-based care. This is of importance given the side effect burden and poorer long-term outcomes associated with polypharmacy and treatment-resistant depression. This review provides a definitive overview of pharmacological augmentation recommendations by assessing the quality of guidelines for depression and comparing the recommendations made. METHODS A systematic literature search identified current treatment guidelines for depression published in English. Guidelines were quality assessed using the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation II tool. Data relating to the prescription of pharmacological augmenters were extracted from those developed with sufficient rigor, and the included recommendations compared. RESULTS Total of 1696 records were identified, 19 guidelines were assessed for quality, and 10 were included. Guidelines differed in their quality, the stage at which augmentation was recommended, the agents included, and the evidence base cited. Lithium and atypical antipsychotics were recommended by all 10, though the specific advice was not consistent. Of the 15 augmenters identified, no others were universally recommended. CONCLUSIONS This review provides a comprehensive overview of current pharmacological augmentation recommendations for major depression and will support clinicians in selecting appropriate treatment guidance. Although some variation can be accounted for by date of guideline publication, and limited evidence from clinical trials, there is a clear need for greater consistency across guidelines to ensure patients receive consistent evidence-based care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachael W Taylor
- The Centre for Affective Disorders, Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King’s College London, De Crespigny Park, London, United Kingdom,National Institute for Health Research Maudsley Biomedical Research Centre, South London & Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Lindsey Marwood
- The Centre for Affective Disorders, Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King’s College London, De Crespigny Park, London, United Kingdom,Correspondence: Lindsey Marwood, PhD, 103 Denmark Hill, PO74, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London SE58AF, United Kingdom ()
| | - Emanuella Oprea
- The Centre for Affective Disorders, Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King’s College London, De Crespigny Park, London, United Kingdom,South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Valeria DeAngel
- The Centre for Affective Disorders, Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King’s College London, De Crespigny Park, London, United Kingdom,National Institute for Health Research Maudsley Biomedical Research Centre, South London & Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Sarah Mather
- Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Beatrice Valentini
- The Centre for Affective Disorders, Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King’s College London, De Crespigny Park, London, United Kingdom,Department of Psychology and Educational Sciences, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Roland Zahn
- The Centre for Affective Disorders, Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King’s College London, De Crespigny Park, London, United Kingdom,National Institute for Health Research Maudsley Biomedical Research Centre, South London & Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Allan H Young
- The Centre for Affective Disorders, Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King’s College London, De Crespigny Park, London, United Kingdom,South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom,National Institute for Health Research Maudsley Biomedical Research Centre, South London & Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Anthony J Cleare
- The Centre for Affective Disorders, Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King’s College London, De Crespigny Park, London, United Kingdom,South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom,National Institute for Health Research Maudsley Biomedical Research Centre, South London & Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
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Wright BM, Eiland EH, Lorenz R. Augmentation with atypical antipsychotics for depression: a review of evidence-based support from the medical literature. Pharmacotherapy 2013; 33:344-59. [PMID: 23456734 DOI: 10.1002/phar.1204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a chronic mental illness that affects an estimated 5-26% of adults at some time in their lives. Treatment is often started as pharmacotherapy using a single drug such as a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor. If a patient fails to respond adequately to the initial antidepressant, typically three pharmacotherapy options are available to the practitioner. The dose of the current therapy can be maximized, a change can be made to a different drug, or the current regimen can be augmented with another drug. Atypical antipsychotics have recently become a major focus for augmentation of traditional antidepressant therapy. This review summarizes the evidence for efficacy and safety of augmenting treatment-refractory or treatment-resistant depression with atypical antipsychotics. The National Library of Medicine's MEDLINE database was searched for all English-language articles published from January 1966-December 2011 describing the use of atypical antipsychotics in treatment-resistant depression. The literature retrieved was limited to case series, open-label trials, and randomized controlled trials (RCT). Studies of bipolar depression, psychotic depression, or studies conducted in children and adolescents were excluded. Thirty-five studies using atypical antipsychotics for augmentation treatment of depression were included in this analysis. Trials were identified for aripiprazole (six open-label; three RCT), clozapine (one case series), olanzapine (three open-label, including two case series; four RCT), quetiapine (four open-label; five RCT), risperidone (two open-label; five RCT), and ziprasidone (two open-label). The atypical antipsychotics may be effective as adjunctive therapy in MDD; however, their adverse effect profile may be unfavorable to some patients. Trying at least one alternative treatment strategy after an initial antidepressant is indicated before augmentation is implemented with these agents. If atypical antipsychotics are used, safety and efficacy should be frequently reassessed and dosage should be individualized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bradley M Wright
- Auburn University Harrison School of Pharmacy, Mobile, AL 36688, USA.
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Boku S, Inoue T, Honma H, Honma H, Nakagawa S, Koyama T. Olanzapine augmentation of milnacipran for stage 2 treatment-resistant major depression: an open study. Hum Psychopharmacol 2011; 26:237-41. [PMID: 21638328 DOI: 10.1002/hup.1197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Olanzapine augmentation of fluoxetine, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, is an effective augmentation therapy for treatment-resistant depression (TRD). However, studies of olanzapine augmentation of other antidepressants are few. We investigated the efficacy and safety of olanzapine augmentation of milnacipran, a serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor, for TRD. METHODS This study covered patients with stage 2 TRD, defined by Thase and Rush. Olanzapine was added to milnacipran, and its dosage was adjusted according to each patient. Previous treatments were continued, but no new treatments were allowed. Response was measured using Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD) and Clinical Global Impression at weeks 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, and 8. RESULTS Eleven patients aged 53.2 ± 24.0 years received olanzapine at 5.0 ± 1.9 mg/day with milnacipran. HAMD and Clinical Global Impression scores improved significantly from baseline to endpoint. This improvement occurred in week 1. At endpoint, seven of 11 (64%) were responders on HAMD (≥ 50% reduction). Four patients (36%) discontinued the trial because of no efficacy. No severe adverse effect occurred. CONCLUSIONS Olanzapine augmentation of milnacipran for stage 2 TRD might be effective and well tolerated. However, our study is open label and uncontrolled. Therefore, a double-blind controlled trial is necessary to confirm our results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuken Boku
- Department of Psychiatry, Hokkaido University Graduate School of Medicine, Sapporo, Japan.
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Nozawa K, Sekine A, Hozumi S, Shimizu T. Effect of augmentation with olanzapine in outpatients with depression in partial remission with melancholic features: consecutive case series. Psychiatry Clin Neurosci 2011; 65:199-202. [PMID: 21414094 DOI: 10.1111/j.1440-1819.2010.02184.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
The aim of the present 12-week, open-label study was to investigate the effect of olanzapine augmentation in outpatients with depression with melancholic features who demonstrated partial response to standard antidepressants but who were reluctant to change antidepressants. The subjects consisted of 22 outpatients meeting the DSM-IV-TR criteria for major depression. Olanzapine was initially added at 2.5 mg/day and the dose was adjusted according to the clinical condition. Data were analyzed using an intention-to-treat methodology. A paired t-test was used to compare total Montgomery Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) scores before treatment, at baseline (prior to olanzapine), and 4, 8, and 12 weeks after starting olanzapine. Of 22 enrolled patients, 20 completed the trial. The mean (±SD) MADRS score was 17.1 ± 1.0 at baseline and decreased significantly to 8.1 ± 3.2 at 4 weeks after the administration of olanzapine. This significant reduction continued until 12 weeks, when the mean MADRS score was 4.9 ± 2.9, indicating full remission. These results suggest that olanzapine augmentation may be useful for patients with depression in partial remission. A controlled, double-blind trial, however, is needed to confirm these preliminary findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Koji Nozawa
- Department of Psychiatry, Yamamoto-kumiai General Hospital, Noshiro, Akita, Japan.
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Bobo WV, Shelton RC. Efficacy, safety and tolerability of Symbyax for acute-phase management of treatment-resistant depression. Expert Rev Neurother 2010; 10:651-70. [PMID: 20420487 DOI: 10.1586/ern.10.44] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Treatment resistance is frequently encountered during the long-term care of patients with major depression. A number of 'next step' therapeutic options exist in such cases, including switching to an alternative antidepressant, combining antidepressants from different pharmacological classes, adding evidence-supported psychotherapies to ongoing antidepressant treatment and augmentation with a nonantidepressant drug. Augmenting antidepressants with atypical antipsychotic drugs has generated considerable clinical interest. Three atypical antipsychotics (aripiprazole, quetiapine and olanzapine) have received regulatory approval for adjunctive use with antidepressants for treatment-resistant major depression (TRD) in adults. Symbyax (olanzapine-fluoxetine combination or OFC), the combination of olanzapine and the selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitor fluoxetine, is also approved for this indication. The short-term effectiveness of OFC for TRD is supported by results of five published randomized, controlled, acute-phase studies of generally similar design. In each study, OFC was associated with rapid reduction in depressive symptoms. In two studies, significantly greater improvement in depressive symptoms occurred in OFC-treated patients at study end point compared with those who received antidepressant monotherapy. These effects appeared to be strongest in cases where antidepressant failure was established during the current depressive episode. Although OFC was well-tolerated, increases in body weight and prolactin concentration were greater with OFC than antidepressant monotherapy, and were similar to olanzapine monotherapy. Increases in random total cholesterol levels were greatest for OFC, and were significantly greater than those of olanzapine and antidepressant monotherapy. The long-term efficacy and tolerability of OFC for TRD has not been investigated, and the comparative effectiveness of OFC versus other next-step options is unknown. As such, the exact place of OFC among the available therapeutic options for TRD is not fully understood at this time.
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Affiliation(s)
- William V Bobo
- Department of Psychiatry, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, South Suite 2200, Village at Vanderbilt, Nashville, TN 37212, USA.
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Bobo WV, Shelton RC. Fluoxetine and olanzapine combination therapy in treatment-resistant major depression: review of efficacy and safety data. Expert Opin Pharmacother 2009; 10:2145-59. [PMID: 19640209 DOI: 10.1517/14656560903130609] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND There has been growing evidence supporting the use of atypical antipsychotic drugs as adjunctive treatments in patients with major depression who fail to respond adequately to antidepressants. OBJECTIVE To review the efficacy and safety data for one such combination, fluoxetine (FLX) + olanzapine (OLZ) in treatment-resistant depression (TRD). METHODS We reviewed published randomized, controlled acute-phase studies, as well as available long-term clinical studies. RESULTS/CONCLUSIONS In each acute-phase study (n = 5), FLX/OLZ group experienced rapid antidepressant effects and, in two of these studies, resulted in significantly greater improvement at study end point compared with antidepressant monotherapy. These effects were strongest when TRD was defined as having failed at least two antidepressant trials during the current depressive episode. FLX + OLZ was generally well tolerated; however, increases in body weight and prolactin levels with FLX + OLZ were greater than that of antidepressant monotherapy groups and were similar to OLZ monotherapy. However, changes in random total cholesterol were also greatest for FLX + OLZ and were greater in magnitude than that of OLZ or FLX monotherapy. Long-term effectiveness/safety data are sparse, and comparison trials and sequential treatment studies involving FLX + OLZ and other antidepressant-atypical antipsychotic combinations are lacking. Thus, the exact place of FLX + OLZ among other available options for TRD is difficult to determine.
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Affiliation(s)
- William Victor Bobo
- Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, 1500 21st Ave South, Village at Vanderbilt, Nashville, TN 37212, USA.
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Rakofsky JJ, Holtzheimer PE, Nemeroff CB. Emerging targets for antidepressant therapies. Curr Opin Chem Biol 2009; 13:291-302. [PMID: 19501541 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2009.04.617] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2009] [Accepted: 04/17/2009] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Despite adequate antidepressant monotherapy, the majority of depressed patients do not achieve remission. Even optimal and aggressive therapy leads to a substantial number of patients who show minimal and often only transient improvement. In order to address this substantial problem of treatment-resistant depression, a number of novel targets for antidepressant therapy have emerged as a consequence of major advances in the neurobiology of depression. Three major approaches to uncover novel therapeutic interventions are: first, optimizing the modulation of monoaminergic neurotransmission; second, developing medications that act upon neurotransmitter systems other than monoaminergic circuits; and third, using focal brain stimulation to directly modulate neuronal activity. We review the most recent data on novel therapeutic compounds and their antidepressant potential. These include triple monoamine reuptake inhibitors, atypical antipsychotic augmentation, and dopamine receptor agonists. Compounds affecting extra-monoamine neurotransmitter systems include CRF(1) receptor antagonists, glucocorticoid receptor antagonists, substance P receptor antagonists, NMDA receptor antagonists, nemifitide, omega-3 fatty acids, and melatonin receptor agonists. Focal brain stimulation therapies include vagus nerve stimulation (VNS), transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), magnetic seizure therapy (MST), transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), and deep brain stimulation (DBS).
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey J Rakofsky
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, 2004 Ridgewood Dr, Suite 218, Atlanta, GA 30322, United States.
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Bobo WV, Shelton RC. Olanzapine and fluoxetine combination therapy for treatment-resistant depression: review of efficacy, safety, and study design issues. Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat 2009; 5:369-83. [PMID: 19590732 PMCID: PMC2706569 DOI: 10.2147/ndt.s5819] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Treatment-resistant depression (TRD) is a common occurrence in clinical practice. Up to 30% of patients with major depression do not respond to conventional antidepressant treatment, while a significantly greater number of patients experience only partial symptom reduction. Numerous strategies may be applied by the practicing clinician to overcome limitations in the effectiveness of antidepressant monotherapy, including combining drug treatment with evidence-supported psychotherapies, combining antidepressants (combination pharmacotherapy), and combining antidepressants with other non-antidepressant psychotropic medications (augmentation treatment). One such augmentation strategy, the combination of the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, fluoxetine (FLX), with the atypical antipsychotic drug, olanzapine (OLZ), is supported by the results of four randomized, double-blind, acute phase studies of patients who had responded inadequately to antidepressant monotherapy. In each study, the FLX/OLZ combination caused rapid reduction in Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating scale scores, with two of the four studies showing significantly greater improvement than antidepressant monotherapy at study endpoint. Effects of the FLX/OLZ combination were strongest in cases where failure to respond to two antidepressants prior to randomization was established during the current depressive episode. The FLX/OLZ combination was well-tolerated; however, body weight gain and increases in prolactin were greater than that of the antidepressant monotherapy groups, and were comparable to that of OLZ monotherapy. While effective during acute-phase treatment, questions remain regarding the long-term efficacy and safety of FLX/OLZ relative to antidepressant monotherapy and other combination strategies. Efforts aimed at determining the placement of FLX/OLZ among the available options for addressing TRD are limited by lack of comparison and sequential treatment studies. Important aspects of study design and directions for future research are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- William V Bobo
- Department of Psychiatry, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA
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