Fast Five Quiz: Pharmacologic Therapy for Major Depressive Disorder

If at least a moderate improvement in symptoms is not observed within 4-8 weeks of treatment initiation, the treatment plan may need to be adjusted, per Gautam. Other factors to assess in this situation are adverse effects and treatment adherence, as well as pharmacokinetic or pharmacodynamic factors. For patients in psychotherapy, the specific approach and frequency should be assessed if improvement is not seen within this time frame.

For patients whose symptoms have not responded fully to initial therapy, the acute phase of treatment should not be concluded early, as an incomplete response to treatment may be linked with detrimental functional outcomes.

Learn more about treatment-resistant depression.

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Cite this: Claudia L. Reardon. Fast Five Quiz: Pharmacologic Therapy for Major Depressive Disorder - Medscape - Aug 26, 2022.