Section - Quick Takes

01. Patient and Clinical Factors Associated With Response to Medications for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

Published on June 1, 2022 Expired on June 1, 2025

James Phelps, M.D.

Research Editor - Psychopharmacology Institute

Key Points

In a retrospective study of records for patients with PTSD, the authors sought to determine which of 5 medications produced the greatest reductions in scores on a self-report scale, the PCL: Fluoxetine, paroxetine, sertraline, venlafaxine, or topiramate. Remarkably, all 5 produced similar reductions.

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Text version

What’s the best treatment for PTSD? What works better—an SSRI or an SNRI? And if you’re leaning toward an SSRI, which one?

Hi! Jim Phelps here for the Psychopharmacology Institute. First, let’s back up a step. The American Psychological Association (APA) prepared a guideline based on 5 of the most recent reviews of PTSD treatment, and they found that “all but one agreed that the best psychotherapies were more effective than the best medications.” The single exception was their own guidelines, which placed psychotherapy and medication options on the same tier after concluding that comparative effectiveness couldn’t be assessed in the absence of head-to-head trials.

So now, examining what at least the APA considers second-line options, let’s look at a comparison of medication treatments. Dr. Brian Shiner and colleagues used a sample of over 7,000 medical records gleaned from a massive warehouse of data on patients seen in the United

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02. Rapid Tranquilization of the Agitated Patient in the Emergency Department: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis

Learning Objectives:

After completing this activity, the learner will be able to:

Determine which antidepressant among those studied is associated with better outcomes in the treatment of PTSD.
Compare 11 medications (either monotherapy or combination) for the treatment of severe agitation in the emergency department using network meta-analyses.
Evaluate the efficacy of treatments for ADHD in young people who also manifest irritability.
Reconsider routine practices for antidepressant nonresponse in light of 3 recent meta-analyses.
Examine the prevalence of akathisia among inpatients with schizophrenia who are treated with second-generation antipsychotics.

Original Release Date: June 1, 2022

Review and Re-release Date: March 1, 2024

Expiration Date: June 1, 2025

Expert: James Phelps, M.D.

Medical Editor: Melissa Mariano, M.D.

Relevant Financial Disclosures:

None of the faculty, planners, and reviewers for this educational activity have relevant financial relationships to disclose during the last 24 months with ineligible companies whose primary business is producing, marketing, selling, re-selling, or distributing healthcare products used by or on patients.

Contact Information: For questions regarding the content or access to this activity, contact us at support@psychopharmacologyinstitute.com

Instructions for Participation and Credit:

Participants must complete the activity online during the valid credit period that is noted above.

Follow these steps to earn CME credit:

View the required educational content provided on this course page.
Complete the Post Activity Evaluation for providing the necessary feedback for continuing accreditation purposes and for the development of future activities. NOTE: Completing the Post Activity Evaluation after the quiz is required to receive the earned credit.
Download your certificate.

Accreditation Statement

This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education through the joint providership of Medical Academy LLC and the Psychopharmacology Institute. Medical Academy is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

Credit Designation Statement

Medical Academy designates this enduring activity for a maximum of 0.5 AMA PRA Category 1 credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.