Website intended for a NZ health professional readership
Most antidepressant benefit seen in primary care is due to placebo. Talk first prescribe later.
1. Arroll et al. Antidepressants for treatment of depression in primary care. A systematic review and meta-analysis. 2016 http://www.publish.csiro.au/HC/pdf/HC16008
2. Fournier et al. Antidepressant drug effects and depression severity: a patient-level meta-analysis. JAMA 2010. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20051569
3. Depression in adults: recognition and management. NICE Guidance (CG90). https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/cg90
Pharmacist prescribers Linda Bryant and Leanne Te Karu discuss positive polypharmacy for heart failure. Current evidence shows the intensive implementation of four medications offers the greatest benefit to most patients with heart failure, with significant reductions in cardiovascular mortality, heart failure hospitalisations and all-cause mortality
