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Maintenance pharmacotherapy of unipolar depression

Psychopharmacology Unit, School of Medical Sciences, University of Bristol BS8 1TD

^* Correspondence

Aims and methods The purpose of this paper is to review current evidence and opinion with regard to the long-term treatment of unipolar depression. The method employed was a Psychlit search using the search items long-term, maintenance, treatment and depression.

Results The search yielded 91 articles.

Clinical implications Unipolar depression is frequently recurrent and sometimes a chronic illness. The paper identifies those at greatest risk of recurrence. It goes on to examine strategies to prevent relapse and for prophylactic treatment. It concludes that continuation treatment should be sustained at full dose for 4–6 months after full remission of symptoms. Where depression is highly recurrent the acute phase dose should be maintained in the long-term.