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Mirtazapine vs. placebo in posttraumatic stress disorder: a pilot trial.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Davidson, JRT; Weisler, RH; Butterfield, MI; Casat, CD; Connor, KM; Barnett, S; van Meter, S
Published in: Biol Psychiatry
January 15, 2003

BACKGROUND: Based on an earlier pilot study, as well as a theoretical consideration of its mechanism of action, we undertook a placebo-controlled, double-blind trial of mirtazapine in posttraumatic stress disorder. METHODS: Twenty-nine patients were randomized to receive drug up to 45 mg/day or placebo double-blind on a 2:1 ratio for 8 weeks, with data being available for analysis in 26. Primary outcome measures comprised the Short Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Rating Interview (SPRINT) Global Improvement item and total score. Secondary measures comprised the Davidson Trauma Scale, Structured Interview for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale. Adverse events were also measured. RESULTS: On the Short Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Rating Interview Global Improvement measure, rates of response were 64.7% and 20.0% for mirtazapine and placebo. Treatment effects in favor of mirtazapine were noted on the Short Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Rating Interview global, Structured Interview for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, and Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale anxiety subscale scores. The drug was well tolerated. CONCLUSIONS: Mirtazapine was more effective than placebo on some measures in posttraumatic stress disorder and general anxiety symptoms.

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Published In

Biol Psychiatry

DOI

ISSN

0006-3223

Publication Date

January 15, 2003

Volume

53

Issue

2

Start / End Page

188 / 191

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic
  • Psychiatry
  • Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
  • Placebos
  • Pilot Projects
  • Mirtazapine
  • Middle Aged
  • Mianserin
  • Male
  • Humans
 

Citation

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Chicago
ICMJE
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Davidson, J. R. T., Weisler, R. H., Butterfield, M. I., Casat, C. D., Connor, K. M., Barnett, S., & van Meter, S. (2003). Mirtazapine vs. placebo in posttraumatic stress disorder: a pilot trial. Biol Psychiatry, 53(2), 188–191. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0006-3223(02)01411-7
Davidson, Jonathan R. T., Richard H. Weisler, Marian I. Butterfield, Charles D. Casat, Kathryn M. Connor, Stewart Barnett, and Susan van Meter. “Mirtazapine vs. placebo in posttraumatic stress disorder: a pilot trial.Biol Psychiatry 53, no. 2 (January 15, 2003): 188–91. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0006-3223(02)01411-7.
Davidson JRT, Weisler RH, Butterfield MI, Casat CD, Connor KM, Barnett S, et al. Mirtazapine vs. placebo in posttraumatic stress disorder: a pilot trial. Biol Psychiatry. 2003 Jan 15;53(2):188–91.
Davidson, Jonathan R. T., et al. “Mirtazapine vs. placebo in posttraumatic stress disorder: a pilot trial.Biol Psychiatry, vol. 53, no. 2, Jan. 2003, pp. 188–91. Pubmed, doi:10.1016/s0006-3223(02)01411-7.
Davidson JRT, Weisler RH, Butterfield MI, Casat CD, Connor KM, Barnett S, van Meter S. Mirtazapine vs. placebo in posttraumatic stress disorder: a pilot trial. Biol Psychiatry. 2003 Jan 15;53(2):188–191.
Journal cover image

Published In

Biol Psychiatry

DOI

ISSN

0006-3223

Publication Date

January 15, 2003

Volume

53

Issue

2

Start / End Page

188 / 191

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic
  • Psychiatry
  • Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
  • Placebos
  • Pilot Projects
  • Mirtazapine
  • Middle Aged
  • Mianserin
  • Male
  • Humans