Treatment Options
Recommended initial treatment options for patients with moderate to severe major depressive disorder: r4
- Evidence-based psychotherapy (eg, cognitive behavioral therapy)
- A second-generation antidepressant
- Combination therapy with psychotherapy and a second generation antidepressant
Recommended initial treatment for patients with mild major depressive disorder is cognitive behavioral therapy r4
- Second-generation antidepressant may be chosen for initial treatment based on considerations such as access to or cost of psychotherapy, history of moderate or severe major depression, or patient preference r4
- Consider combination therapy (psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy) when the response to a single therapy is inadequate
Initial treatment with a combination of pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy is recommended for patients with any of the following: r5r13r25r26
- Severe major depressive disorder (eg, Patient Health Questionnaire-9 score greater than 20)
- Persistent major depressive disorder (duration longer than two years)
- Recurrent major depressive disorder (two or more previous episodes)
The following second generation antidepressants are the first line options for pharmacotherapy: start treatment at low dose and gradually increase to approved maximum dose r4r5r25r27
- Bupropion
- Mirtazapine
- Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors
- Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors r28
- Trazodone, vilazodone, or vortioxetine
For patients with an inadequate response to an adequate trial of initial pharmacotherapy (ie, one of the above agents at maximum dose for at least 4 to 6 weeks), options include: r5r25
- Switching to another antidepressant
- A different second generation antidepressant r4
- A second line agent (eg, tricyclic antidepressants, MAOIs, nefazodone) r5
- Adding another agent (eg, mirtazapine, bupropion, or buspirone) r4
- Ketamine or esketamine nasal sprayr29 may be considered as an adjunct to an oral antidepressant in patients who have not responded to several adequate trials of medication or with acute suicidal ideation r25
- Switching to psychotherapy
- Adding pyschotherapy
- For all severities of depression, the most effective treatment is a combination of psychological interventions and pharmacotherapy (may not apply to the very severe presentations seen in tertiary care) r6
- For most patients, combination therapy (psychotherapy and medication) is more effective than either psychotherapy or antidepressant medication alone r5
- Adding a second-generation antipsychotic (eg, aripiprazole)
Offer repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation to patients with inadequate response to two or more adequate trials of medication r25
Consider electroconvulsive therapy for patients with any of the following: r5r25
- Catatonia r6
- Psychotic depression r6
- Severe suicidality
- Previous good respond to electroconvulsive therapy
- Need for rapid, definitive treatment for medical or psychiatric reasons (eg, lack of nutrition or fluid intaker6)
- Risks associated with other treatments are greater than the risks of electroconvulsive therapy for the specific patient
- Previous poor response or intolerable side effects to multiple antidepressants
Relapse prevention r26
- In patients who achieve remission with antidepressant medication, continue antidepressants at the therapeutic dose for at least 4 to 9 months to decrease risk of relapse r4r5
- For patients at high risk for relapse or recurrence (eg, two or more prior episodes, unstable remission status) offer a course of cognitive behavioral therapy, interpersonal therapy, or mindfulness-based cognitive therapy after remission is achieved on medication
- Taper antidepressant medication slowly to minimize withdrawal symptoms; abrupt discontinuation can cause antidepressant discontinuation syndrome: r4r26
- Flulike symptoms (eg, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headaches)
- Sensory/movement disturbances (eg, vertigo, dizziness)
- Cognitive symptoms (eg, hyperarousal, confusion)
- Patients who respond to acute-phase electroconvulsive therapy: continue or initiate prophylactic medication; consider continuing electroconvulsive therapy in patients with frequent relapses who do not respond to prophylactic medication
Drug therapy
- Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors c96
- Citalopram c97
- Citalopram Hydrobromide Oral solution; Children and Adolescents 7 to 17 years: 10 to 20 mg PO once daily, initially. May increase the dose by 10 mg/day every 4 weeks if inadequate response and depending on tolerability. Usual dose: 20 mg/day. Max: 40 mg/day. Coadministration of certain drugs may need to be avoided or dosage adjustments may be necessary; review drug interactions.
- Citalopram Hydrobromide Oral tablet; Adults 18 to 60 years: 20 mg PO once daily, initially. May increase the dose at intervals of at least 1 week if inadequate response and depending on tolerability. Max: 40 mg/day. Coadministration of certain drugs may need to be avoided or dosage adjustments may be necessary; review drug interactions.
- Citalopram Hydrobromide Oral tablet; Adults older than 60 years: 20 mg PO once daily. Coadministration of certain drugs may need to be avoided or dosage adjustments may be necessary; review drug interactions.
- Escitalopram c98
- Escitalopram Oral solution; Children and Adolescents 12 to 17 years: 10 mg PO once daily, initially. May increase the dose to 20 mg/day after at least 3 weeks if inadequate response and depending on tolerability. Usual dose: 10 mg/day. Max: 20 mg/day.
- Escitalopram Oral tablet; Adults: 10 mg PO once daily, initially. May increase the dose to 20 mg/day after at least 1 week if inadequate response and depending on tolerability. Usual dose: 10 mg/day. Max: 20 mg/day.
- Escitalopram Oral tablet; Older Adults: 10 mg PO once daily.
- Fluoxetine c99
- Fluoxetine Hydrochloride Oral solution [Depression/Mood Disorders]; Children and Adolescents 8 to 17 years: 10 or 20 mg PO once daily, initially. Increase dose to 20 mg/day after 1 week and may increase the dose after several weeks if inadequate response and depending on tolerability. May divide doses of 20 mg/day or more in 2 doses. Usual dose: 10 to 20 mg/day. Max: 60 mg/day.
- Fluoxetine Hydrochloride Oral capsule [Depression/Mood Disorders]; Adults: 20 mg PO once daily, initially. May increase the dose after several weeks if inadequate response and depending on tolerability. May divide doses of 20 mg/day or more in 2 doses. Max: 80 mg/day.
- Paroxetine c100
- Immediate release
- Paroxetine Hydrochloride Oral tablet; Adults: 20 mg PO once daily, initially. May increase the dose by 10 mg/day at intervals of at least 1 week if inadequate response and depending on tolerability. Max: 50 mg/day.
- Paroxetine Hydrochloride Oral tablet; Older Adults: 10 mg PO once daily, initially. May increase the dose by 10 mg/day at intervals of at least 1 week if inadequate response and depending on tolerability. Max: 40 mg/day.
- Extended release
- Paroxetine Hydrochloride Oral tablet, extended-release; Adults: 25 mg PO once daily, initially. May increase the dose by 12.5 mg/day at intervals of at least 1 week if inadequate response and depending on tolerability. Max: 62.5 mg/day.
- Paroxetine Hydrochloride Oral tablet, extended-release; Older Adults: 12.5 mg PO once daily, initially. May increase the dose by 12.5 mg/day at intervals of at least 1 week if inadequate response and depending on tolerability. Max: 50 mg/day.
- Sertraline c101c102
- Evidence recommends that physicians use caution when prescribing sertraline in pediatric patients (if at all) r30
- Sertraline Hydrochloride Oral solution; Children† 6 to 11 years: 12.5 to 25 mg PO once daily, initially. May increase the dose by 12.5 to 25 mg/day every 4 weeks if inadequate response and depending on tolerability; some studies report titration by 25 to 50 mg/day every 1 to 2 weeks. Max: 200 mg/day.
- Sertraline Hydrochloride Oral solution; Children† and Adolescents† 12 to 17 years: 25 to 50 mg PO once daily, initially. May increase the dose by 12.5 to 25 mg/day every 4 weeks if inadequate response and depending on tolerability; some studies report titration by 25 to 50 mg/day every 1 to 2 weeks. Max: 200 mg/day.
- Sertraline Hydrochloride Oral tablet; Adults: 50 mg PO once daily, initially. May increase the dose by 25 to 50 mg/day at intervals of at least 1 week if inadequate response and depending on tolerability. Usual dose: 50 to 200 mg/day. Max: 200 mg/day.
- Vilazodone c103
- Has not received enough study to judge safety in older patients or in those with, or at high risk for, cardiovascular disease r31
- Vilazodone hydrochloride Oral tablet; Adults: 10 mg PO once daily for 7 days, then 20 mg PO once daily. May increase the dose by 10 mg/day after at least 7 days if inadequate response and depending on tolerability. Usual dose: 20 to 40 mg/day. Max: 40 mg/day. Coadministration of certain drugs may need to be avoided or dosage adjustments may be necessary; review drug interactions.
- Vortioxetine c104
- Vortioxetine Oral tablet; Adults: 10 mg PO once daily, initially, then increase the dose to 20 mg PO once daily depending on tolerability. May reduce dose to 5 mg/day for persons who do not tolerate higher doses. Coadministration of certain drugs may need to be avoided or dosage adjustments may be necessary; review drug interactions.
- Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors c105
- Desvenlafaxine c106
- Desvenlafaxine Succinate Oral tablet, extended-release; Adults: 50 mg PO once daily, initially. Usual dose: 50 mg/day. Max: 400 mg/day, although no additional benefit was demonstrated at doses more than 50 mg/day and adverse reactions and discontinuations were more frequent at higher doses. Coadministration of certain drugs may need to be avoided or dosage adjustments may be necessary; review drug interactions.
- Duloxetine c107
- Duloxetine Oral capsule, gastro-resistant pellets; Adults: 20 or 30 mg PO twice daily or 60 mg PO once daily, initially. Alternatively, 30 mg PO once daily for 1 week, then 60 mg PO once daily. Usual Max: 60 mg/day. Max: 120 mg/day.
- Levomilnacipran c108
- Has not received enough study to judge safety in older patients or in those with, or at high risk for, cardiovascular disease r31
- Levomilnacipran Oral capsule, extended-release; Adults: 20 mg PO once daily for 2 days, then 40 mg PO once daily, initially. May increase the dose by 40 mg/day at intervals of at least 2 days if inadequate response and depending on tolerability. Usual dose: 40 to 120 mg/day. Max: 120 mg/day. Coadministration of certain drugs may need to be avoided or dosage adjustments may be necessary; review drug interactions.
- Venlafaxine c109
- Immediate release
- Venlafaxine Hydrochloride Oral tablet; Adults: 75 mg/day PO divided in 2 or 3 doses, initially. May increase the dose by 75 mg/day at intervals of at least every 4 days if inadequate response and depending on tolerability. Usual Max: 225 mg/day. Max: 375 mg/day in 3 divided doses.
- Extended release
- Venlafaxine Hydrochloride Oral tablet, extended-release; Adults: 75 mg PO once daily, or alternatively, 37.5 mg PO once daily for 4 to 7 days, then 75 mg PO once daily, initially. May increase the dose by 75 mg/day at intervals of at least every 4 days if inadequate response and depending on tolerability. Usual Max: 225 mg/day. Max: 375 mg/day.
- Noradrenergic and specific serotonin antidepressants c110
- Mirtazapine c111
- Mirtazapine Oral tablet; Adults: 15 mg PO once daily at bedtime, initially. May increase the dose up to 45 mg/day at intervals of at least 1 to 2 weeks if inadequate response. Max: 45 mg/day.
- Noradrenergic and dopaminergic antidepressants c112
- Bupropion c113
- Immediate release
- Bupropion Hydrochloride Oral tablet [Depression/Mood Disorders]; Children† and Adolescents† 6 to 17 years: 1.4 to 6 mg/kg/day PO, titrated upward slowly and administered in divided doses. Usual dose: 3 mg/kg/day. Max: 250 to 300 mg/day.
- Bupropion Hydrochloride Oral tablet [Depression/Mood Disorders]; Adults: 100 mg PO twice daily, initially. May increase the dose to 100 mg PO 3 times daily after 3 days, and then up to 450 mg/day after several weeks if inadequate response. Max: 450 mg/day and 150 mg/dose.
- Extended release (12-hour)
- Bupropion Hydrochloride Oral tablet, extended release 12 hour [Depression/Mood Disorders]; Adolescents†: 2 mg/kg/dose (Max: 100 mg/dose) PO once daily for 2 to 3 weeks, initially. May increase the dose to 3 mg/kg/dose (Max:150 mg/dose) PO once daily for 2 to 3 weeks, then 3 mg/kg/dose (Max: 150 mg/dose) PO every morning and 2 mg/kg/dose (Max: 150 mg/dose) PO every evening for 2 to 3 weeks, and then 3 mg/kg/dose (Max: 150 mg/dose) PO twice daily if inadequate response. Alternately, 100 mg PO once daily for 1 week, initially. May increase the dose to 150 mg PO once daily for 2 weeks, then 150 mg PO twice daily for 1 to 3 weeks, and then 200 mg PO twice daily if inadequate response.
- Bupropion Hydrochloride Oral tablet, extended release 12 hour [Depression/Mood Disorders]; Adults: 150 mg PO once daily, initially. May increase the dose to 150 mg PO twice daily after 3 days, and then 200 mg PO twice daily after several weeks if inadequate response. Max: 400 mg/day.
- Extended release (24-hour)
- Bupropion Hydrochloride Oral tablet, extended release 24 hour [Depression/Mood Disorders]; Adults: 150 mg PO once daily, initially. May increase the dose to 300 mg PO once daily after at least 4 days if inadequate response. Max: 450 mg/day.
- 5-HT2 receptor antagonists r5
- Trazodone
- Trazodone Hydrochloride Oral tablet; Children† 6 to 12 years: 1.5 to 2 mg/kg/day PO in divided doses, initially. May increase the dose every 3 to 4 days as needed based on clinical response. Max: 6 mg/kg/day in divided doses.
- Trazodone Hydrochloride Oral tablet; Adolescents†: 25 mg PO once daily at bedtime, or alternatively 1.5 to 2 mg/kg/day PO in divided doses, initially. May increase the dose every 3 to 4 days as needed based on clinical response. Max: 100 to 150 mg/day or 6 mg/kg/day in divided doses.
- Trazodone Hydrochloride Oral tablet; Adults: 150 mg/day PO in divided doses, initially. May increase the dose by 50 mg/day every 3 to 4 days as needed based on clinical response. Gradually reduce dose once an adequate response has been achieved, with subsequent adjustment based on clinical response. Usual Max: 400 mg/day. Max: 600 mg/day.
- Tricyclic antidepressants c114
- Amitriptyline c115
- Amitriptyline Hydrochloride Oral tablet; Adolescents: 10 mg PO 3 times daily with 20 mg PO once daily at bedtime. Reduce dose to the lowest dose that will maintain remission after satisfactory improvement has occurred.
- Amitriptyline Hydrochloride Oral tablet; Outpatient Adults: 75 mg/day PO in divided doses, or alternately, 50 to 100 mg PO once daily at bedtime, initially. May increase the dose by 25 to 50 mg/day at bedtime as needed and tolerated. Usual dose: 40 to 100 mg/day. Max: 150 mg/day. Reduce dose to the lowest dose that will maintain remission after satisfactory improvement has occurred.
- Amitriptyline Hydrochloride Oral tablet; Hospitalized Adults: 75 to 100 mg/day PO in divided doses, initially. May increase the dose to 200 mg/day gradually as needed and tolerated. Max: 300 mg/day. Reduce dose to the lowest dose that will maintain remission after satisfactory improvement has occurred.
- Amitriptyline Hydrochloride Oral tablet; Older Adults: 10 mg PO 3 times daily with 20 mg PO once daily at bedtime. Reduce dose to the lowest dose that will maintain remission after satisfactory improvement has occurred.
- Desipramine c116
- Desipramine Hydrochloride Oral tablet; Adolescents: 25 to 100 mg/day PO once daily or in divided doses; start at lower dose and increase dose gradually as needed and tolerated. Max: 150 mg/day. Reduce dose to the lowest dose that will maintain remission after satisfactory improvement has occurred.
- Desipramine Hydrochloride Oral tablet; Adults: 100 to 200 mg/day PO once daily or in divided doses; start at lower dose and increase dose gradually as needed and tolerated. Max: 300 mg/day. Reduce dose to the lowest dose that will maintain remission after satisfactory improvement has occurred.
- Desipramine Hydrochloride Oral tablet; Older Adults: 25 to 100 mg/day PO once daily or in divided doses; start at lower dose and increase dose gradually as needed and tolerated. Max: 150 mg/day. Reduce dose to the lowest dose that will maintain remission after satisfactory improvement has occurred.
- Imipramine c117
- Imipramine Hydrochloride Oral tablet; Adolescents: 30 to 40 mg PO once daily, initially. May increase the dose gradually as needed and tolerated. Usual Max: 100 mg/day. Reduce dose to the lowest dose that will maintain remission after satisfactory improvement has occurred.
- Imipramine Hydrochloride Oral tablet; Outpatient Adults: 75 mg PO once daily, initially. May increase the dose to 150 mg/day gradually as needed and tolerated. Usual dose: 50 to 150 mg/day. Max: 200 mg/day. Reduce dose to the lowest dose that will maintain remission after satisfactory improvement has occurred.
- Imipramine Hydrochloride Oral tablet; Hospitalized Adults: 100 mg/day PO in divided doses. May increase the dose to 200 mg/day gradually as needed and tolerated; further increase dose to 250 to 300 mg/day if no response after 2 weeks. Reduce dose to the lowest dose that will maintain remission after satisfactory improvement has occurred.
- Imipramine Hydrochloride Oral tablet; Older Adults: 30 to 40 mg PO once daily, initially. May increase the dose gradually as needed and tolerated. Usual Max: 100 mg/day. Reduce dose to the lowest dose that will maintain remission after satisfactory improvement has occurred.
- Nortriptyline c118
- Nortriptyline Hydrochloride Oral solution; Adolescents: 30 to 50 mg PO once daily or in divided doses. Reduce dose to the lowest dose that will maintain remission after satisfactory improvement has occurred.
- Nortriptyline Hydrochloride Oral capsule; Adults: 25 mg PO 3 or 4 times daily, or alternately, 75 to 100 mg PO once daily, initially; start at lower dose and increase dose gradually as needed and tolerated. Max: 150 mg/day. Reduce dose to the lowest dose that will maintain remission after satisfactory improvement has occurred.
- Nortriptyline Hydrochloride Oral capsule; Older Adults: 30 to 50 mg PO once daily or in divided doses. Reduce dose to the lowest dose that will maintain remission after satisfactory improvement has occurred.
- MAOIs c119
- Avoid alcohol, tobacco, caffeine, and tyramine-containing foods (eg, aged cheeses, cured meats, fermented cabbage, soy sauce, fava beans) except when taking selegiline at the lowest dosage r32
- Do not use concomitantly with other serotonergic drugs r32r33
- Isocarboxazid c120
- Isocarboxazid Oral tablet; Adolescents 16 to 17 years: 10 mg PO twice daily, initially. May increase the dose by 10 mg/day every 2 to 4 days up to 40 mg/day by the end of the first week, then may increase the dose by 20 mg/week if inadequate response and depending on tolerability. Max: 60 mg/day in 2 to 4 divided doses. Reduce dose to the lowest dose that will maintain remission after satisfactory improvement has occurred.
- Isocarboxazid Oral tablet; Adults: 10 mg PO twice daily, initially. May increase the dose by 10 mg/day every 2 to 4 days up to 40 mg/day by the end of the first week, then may increase the dose by 20 mg/week if inadequate response and depending on tolerability. Max: 60 mg/day in 2 to 4 divided doses. Reduce dose to the lowest dose that will maintain remission after satisfactory improvement has occurred.
- Phenelzine c121
- Phenelzine Sulfate Oral tablet; Adults: 15 mg PO 3 times daily, initially. Increase the dose up to 60 mg/day at a fairly rapid pace as tolerated; it may be necessary to increase the dose up to 90 mg/day. Reduce dose to the lowest dose that will maintain remission after satisfactory improvement has occurred. Usual maintenance dose: 15 mg PO once daily or every other day
- Selegiline c122
- Selegiline Hydrochloride Transdermal patch - 24 hour; Adults: 6 mg/24 hours transdermally once daily, initially. May increase the dose by 3 mg/24 hours at intervals of 2 weeks or more. Usual dose: 6 to 12 mg/24 hours. Max: 12 mg/24 hours.
- Tranylcypromine c123
- Tranylcypromine Sulfate Oral tablet; Adolescents 16 to 17 years: 15 mg PO twice daily, initially. May increase the dose by 10 mg/day at intervals of 1 to 3 weeks if inadequate response. Max: 60 mg/day. Coadministration of certain drugs may need to be avoided or dosage adjustments may be necessary; review drug interactions.
- Tranylcypromine Sulfate Oral tablet; Adults: 15 mg PO twice daily, initially. May increase the dose by 10 mg/day at intervals of 1 to 3 weeks if inadequate response. Max: 60 mg/day. Coadministration of certain drugs may need to be avoided or dosage adjustments may be necessary; review drug interactions.
- N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonists c124
- Esketamine r29r34c125
- Only available through a restricted distribution system, under a Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy, owing to risk of serious adverse outcomes resulting from sedation and dissociation, the potential for drug misuse, and suicidal thoughts and behaviors in young adults
- Owing to sedation and dissociation risk, patients must be monitored for at least 2 hours after each treatment, followed by a repeat assessment to ensure patient is clinically stable and safe to leave the health care setting r29
- For major depression with acute suicidal ideation or behavior
- Esketamine Nasal spray, solution; Adults: 84 mg intranasally twice weekly for 4 weeks, initially. May reduce dose to 56 mg intranasally twice weekly as tolerated. Evaluate evidence of therapeutic benefit after 4 weeks to determine need for continued therapy.
- For treatment-resistant depression
- Esketamine Nasal spray, solution; Adults: 56 mg intranasally on day 1, then 56 or 84 mg intranasally twice weekly for weeks 1 through 4, then 56 or 84 mg intranasally once weekly for weeks 5 through 8, and then 56 or 84 mg intranasally once weekly or every 2 weeks.
- Ketamine
- Ketamine Hydrochloride Solution for injection; Adults 18 to 64 years: 0.5 mg/kg/dose IV as a single dose or 1 to 3 times weekly for up to 6 doses.
Nondrug and supportive care
Psychotherapy
- Structured psychological treatment is foundational in the treatment of all depressive presentations r6
- For all severities of depression, the most effective treatment is a combination of psychological interventions and pharmacotherapy r6
- Recommended approaches include cognitive behavioral therapy, behavioral activation therapy, interpersonal psychotherapy, problem-solving therapy, nondirective counseling, psychodynamic therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, mindfulness-based cognitive therapy, and short-term psychodynamic psychotherapy r14r25r35
- The US Department of Veterans Affairs/Department of Defense, American Psychological Association, and National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidelines recommend a range of psychotherapies for treatment of depression; however, American College of Physicians guidelines only recommend cognitive behavioral therapy, citing insufficient evidence for other forms r5r10r14r25r36r37
- May be offered in individual or group format according to patient preference r25
- May be used as the initial treatment modality for patients with major depressive disorder, with or without concomitant medication therapy; often adequate as initial therapy early in the course of the disease r14
- Cognitive behavioral therapy administered concurrently with medication may increase the rate of patient response r35r38
- Cognitive behavioral therapy administered after medication is withdrawn may impart a protective effect against relapse r39
Music therapy
- Music therapy (provided by a music therapist) has been found to decrease depressive symptoms, improve anxiety associated with major depressive disorder, and improve functioning r40c126
Acupuncture r41c127
- Small to moderate reduction in the severity of depressive symptoms has been reported
Exercise r42c128
- Exercise has been shown to have significant effect in reducing depressive symptoms in patients with major depressive disorder,r43 especially regular, moderate-level, aerobic exercise
Procedures
General explanation- Generalized seizures are intentionally induced using electrical impulses
- Typically performed 2 to 3 times per week until clinical response is seen
- Average course is 6 to 12 treatments, which are administered under anesthesia and with muscle relaxants
Indication r26r45- May be used as first line therapy for patients who have:
- Psychotic depression
- Catatonia
- Previous response to this treatment method
- Severe suicidality
- Anorexia/rapidly deteriorating physical status
- Treatment-resistant depression
- Repeated medication intolerance
Contraindications- Relative contraindications
- Age younger than 18 years
- Space-occupying brain lesions
- Elevated intracranial pressure
- Recent myocardial infarction
- History of retinal detachment
- Pheochromocytoma
Complications- Associated with transient postictal confusion and a period of antegrade and retrograde memory loss
- Can cause a transient rise in heart rate, in cardiac workload, and in blood pressure
Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation r46c134
General explanation- Magnetic fields stimulate nerve cells in the brain to improve symptoms of depression
- Evaluate patients for seizure risk before repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation, including: r47
- Personal/family history of seizures or epilepsy
- Previous head injury or stroke with neurologic sequelae
- Current use of medications/substances that lower seizure threshold (eg, psychostimulants) or reduction in dose of medication with antiseizure properties (eg, benzodiazepine)
- Presence of medical condition or neurologic disorder that may lower seizure threshold (eg, electrolyte imbalance, sleep deprivation, drug withdrawal)
- Electromagnetic coil is held against the forehead and short electromagnetic pulses are administered through the coil
- Left prefrontal repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation repeated daily for 4 to 6 weeks is an effective and safe treatment in adult patients with unipolar major depressive disorder that has failed 1 or more antidepressant trials r48
- Typical session lasts 30 to 60 minutes and does not require anesthesia r47
Indication- First line treatment for patients with major depression who have not responded to antidepressant drug therapy r5r45
Contraindications- Pregnancy
- Aneurysm clips
- Presence of other ferromagnetic material in the head, with the exception of the mouth
- Deep brain stimulator use (unintended currents can result)
Complications r49- Headache
- Scalp discomfort
- Seizures
Comorbidities
- Anxiety disorder c135
- Approximately one-half of patients with anxiety disorders have other mood disorders (typically dysthymia or depression) r50
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder c136
- Often produces additional depression symptoms
- Substance use disorder (eg, alcohol, opioids, amphetamine, cocaine, cannabis) c137
- Associated with depression and suicide attempts
- Impulsivity is heightened when under the influence of substances r51
- Coronary artery disease c138
- Risk of future cardiac events is 2 to 3 times higher in patients with coronary artery disease and depression when compared to patients without depression r52
- Depression has been shown to be an independent risk factor for mortality in cardiovascular disease, especially in patients with a heart failure diagnosis r53
- Diabetes mellitus c139
- Patients with diabetes and depression experience worse glycemic control and an increased risk of diabetic complications r52
- Obesity c140
- Depression-associated low motivation, poor adherence, negative thinking, fatigue, and sleep problems reduce the success of early-treatment weight loss programs r54
- Hypertension c141
- People who carry a diagnosis of depression have a higher incidence of hypertension than those in the general population r55
- Antidepressants can affect blood pressure and the individual effect can be highly variable with greater increases noted in older adults, those with higher baseline blood pressure, and those using antihypertensive therapy or with kidney disease r56
- Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors have a lower impact on blood pressure than other antidepressants r55
- Monoamine oxidase inhibitors, tricyclic antidepressants, and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors have a higher chance of increasing blood pressure r55r57
Special populations
- Pregnant patients d8
- Untreated major depressive disorder in pregnancy poses a risk to the mother and fetus (potential harm from malnutrition, poor prenatal care, substance use disorder, or suicide attempts)
- Treatment can include psychotherapy and medications determined by the patient's obstetrician and psychiatrist
- Given the potential harms to the fetus and neonate from certain pharmacologic agents, clinicians are encouraged to consider cognitive behavioral therapy or other evidence-based counseling interventions when managing depression in pregnant or breastfeeding patients r5
- Older adults
- Antidepressants pose greater risk for adverse events because of multiple medical comorbidities and drug-drug interactions in case of polypharmacy r58
- Patients diagnosed with dementia
- High-quality evidence does not support the use of pharmacologic treatment of depression in patients with dementia r58