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For instructor materials including Power Points, Answers to Clinical Encounter Questions, please contact userservices@mhprofessional.com.
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Content Update
August 15, 2019
Brexanolone (Zulresso) for Treatment of Postpartum Depression in Adult Women: Brexanolone is a neuroactive steroid and GABAA receptor modulator approved for treatment of postpartum depression in adult women. Results of one phase II and two phase III randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trials provide evidence for the efficacy and safety of brexanolone compared to placebo as evidenced by reduction in HAM-D scores. Brexanolone carries a black box warning for excessive sedation and sudden loss of consciousness and is only available via REMS program restriction. The treatment requires a 60-hour continuous intravenous infusion that is expected to cost $34,000; these factors will limit brexanolone use to a select population of women with postpartum depression.
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Content Update
June 1, 2019
Newly Approved Medications for treatment-resistant depression in conjunction with an oral antidepressant: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved intranasal esketamine (Spravato®) for adults who have demonstrated resistance (failed at least two previous trials of adequate dose and duration) to other therapies for major depressive disorder. Intranasal esketamine plus a newly initiated oral antidepressant demonstrated superiority over intranasal placebo and oral antidepressant in reducing symptoms of depression as measured by the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS).
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LEARNING OBJECTIVES
Upon completion of the chapter, the reader will be able to:
Explain the etiology and pathophysiology of major depressive disorder (MDD).
Identify the signs and symptoms of MDD.
Outline the treatment goals for a patient with MDD.
Recommend pharmacotherapy given a specific patient with MDD.
Develop a monitoring plan for a specific patient with MDD which includes the assessment of efficacy as well as adverse effects.
Predict, prevent, identify, and resolve potential drug-related problems.
Educate patients and caregivers on the proper use of antidepressant therapy.
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Major depression is a common, seriously disabling, disorder nonresponsive to volitional efforts to feel better. Individuals with major depressive disorder (MDD) experience pervasive symptoms affecting mood, thinking, physical health, work, and relationships. Suicide often results when MDD is inadequately diagnosed and treated.1
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Over and under detection of MDD is an important consideration. Primary care providers have become increasingly involved in the management of MDD. Studies show that over detection of MDD can outnumber missed cases.1 Antidepressants account for 15 of the top 200 prescription drugs dispensed in the United States.2 Inadequate treatment remains a serious concern.3
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EPIDEMIOLOGY AND ETIOLOGY
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The lifetime and 12-month prevalence estimates for MDD are 16.2% and 6.6%, respectively.4 Women are twice as likely as men to experience MDD.5 In the United States, incidence peaks in the twenties. Many patients with MDD have comorbid psychiatric disorders, especially anxiety and substance use disorders.5
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