This resource was selected by SMI Adviser content partners and approved by the SMI Adviser clinical expert team for inclusion in the knowledge base.
A systematic review of 44 clinical studies published between January 1980 and April 2011 examined the comparative effectiveness, benefits, and adverse effects of interventions for adults and adolescents with major depressive disorder (MDD) who have an unsatisfactory response to treatment with a selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitor (SSRI). The review also compared recommendations from 27 Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPGs) published from January 2004 to April 2011. The findings of this review do not apply to subjects who have a primary diagnosis of bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, or anxiety disorder. This summary is provided to inform discussions of options with patients and to assist in decisionmaking along with consideration of a patient’s values and preferences and should not be construed to represent clinical recommendations or guidelines.