Original scientific paper

TIANEPTINE IN THE COMBINED TREATMENT OF COMBAT RELATED POSTTRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER

Tanja Frančišković ; School of Medicine, University of Rijeka, Department of Psychiatry and Psychological Medicine, Rijeka, Croatia
Zoran Šuković ; School of Medicine, University of Rijeka, Department of Psychiatry and Psychological Medicine, Rijeka, Croatia
Sanja Janović ; Psychiatric Clinic, KBC Rijeka, Rijeka, Croatia
Aleksandra Stevanović ; Psychiatric Clinic, KBC Rijeka, Rijeka, Croatia
Iva Nemčić-Moro ; Psychiatric Clinic, KBC Rebro, Zagreb, Croatia
Ika Rončević-Gržeta ; Psychiatric Clinic, KBC Rijeka, Rijeka, Croatia
Marina Letica-Crepulja ; Psychiatric Clinic, KBC Rijeka, Rijeka, Croatia

Abstract

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of tianeptine, an antidepressant that acts by increasing serotonin
reuptake, in the treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder and to compare the effects of tianeptine and fluoxetine, an antidepressant
from the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors class.
Subjects and methods: 43 war veterans suffering from posttraumatic stress disorder were included in the study. During the 5.5
months of treatment 21 patients were receiving tianeptine and 22 were receiving fluoxetine. In addition, all patients took part in
intensive trauma specific group psychotherapy. The effects of the two antidepressants on symptoms of PTSD, depression and anxiety
after 5.5 months of treatment were assessed using the Harvard Trauma Questionnaire, Beck Depression Inventory, STAI and the List
of Drug Use and Side Effects.
Results: There was no significant difference between the two treatment groups regarding their effect on symptoms and severity of
depression. The level of anxiety was the same in the first measurement but the difference became significant in other three
measurements in favor of tianeptine. The anxiolytics and other co-prescribed drugs remain the same in both groups, the use of
analgesics significantly increase in fluoxetine group during the course of treatment.
Conclusion: The study demonstrated that tianeptine is as effective as fluoxetine in the treatment of PTSD, with even stronger
effect on anxiety and equal tolerance.

Keywords

tianeptine; fluoxetine; PTSD; treatment; war veterans

Hrčak ID:

76827

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/76827

Publication date:

30.9.2011.

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