Using Atypical Antipsychotic as an Adjunct in Treatment-Resistant Depression

DISCLAIMER

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Introduction

Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioners (PMHNPs) often face the challenging task of managing treatment-resistant depression (TRD). When conventional approaches such as SSRIs and SNRIs don't yield the desired results, it's crucial to explore alternative or adjunctive strategies. One increasingly studied and utilized option is the addition of atypical antipsychotics to the treatment regimen. This post aims to delve into the utility, dosing guidelines, and safety considerations of using atypical antipsychotics as adjunctive therapy for TRD.

Efficacy of Atypical Antipsychotics as Augmentation Agents

A growing body of evidence, backed by randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and meta-analyses, supports the use of atypical antipsychotics for augmenting traditional antidepressant therapies. The FDA has approved several atypical antipsychotics for this purpose, including Aripiprazole, Brexipiprazole, Quetiapine, and the Olanzapine-fluoxetine combination (OFC). Other agents like